New Slaughter House Excites Mgbuoshimini Community

Since the siting of a new slaughter house in Mgbuoshimini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, the community is seriously undergoing serious urban renewal. The coastal town is actually an extension of Rumueme ancient community and shares border with Nkpor Town on the side of the river.
Since after the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike last year announced the siting of the new slaughter in the community, fresh efforts are being made to transform the area to meet the challenges that maybe created by the new facility.
Already, work has begun on the project on a massive land approximated to be over 15 plots of land just by the riverside. Sharing border with the new slaughter is an old riverside market called “Ahiamakara Market” known for its fresh fish and food products. Ahiamakara also has a small slaughter house where most of the meat sold around Agip Estate and Ada-George area are got from.
With the abattoir located near the river, experts believe it would provide natural drainage for the activities of the slaughter house that includes killing, roasting, packaging and selling of meat products.
The Tide gathered that the siting of the slaughter facility was carefully chosen after the state government had considered many options that include proximity to the town, riverside location and perhaps, ability to attract investors as major factors in locating the new facility.
Before now, the old slaughter house at the Trans-Amadi area had been under pressure as activities of butchers, meat buyers and other business had turned the area to a place of chaos and criminality. The huge traffic congestion created by their activities must have finally compelled the state government to relocate the facility to a more convenient area.
As at last year when the facility was pulled down following security intelligence, the area had become a den of criminals and all forms of social vices
To further prepare the area for the new facility, a fresh sand filling and reclamation work is now being done to create more land to accommodate huge business activities and other adjoining economic activities that will sprout in the community once the slaughter house kicks off.
Majority of the roads are being expanded to accommodate the traffic that will accompany the new slaughter house. As one approaches Mgbuo-shimini Junction, the road leading into the community branching into the Low Cost Housing Estate in Rumueme is being expanded. The road that forked into the community leading to Okocha Streets, Agip Road 3, Extention A Road, Odumini and Deeper Life Streets are currently being marked for expansion.
As at last year November when the roads were being marked for expansion, many residents of the area expressed hope that the slaughter house would attract development to Mgbuoshimini.
So far, butchering activities and other businesses have started relocating to the community with its attendant traffic snarl.
When The Tide visited the community, it discovered that a lot of Pay On Sale (POS) agents have sprouted along the major roads – a sign that business is on the increase.
One of the POS agents, who spoke to The Tide, Emmanuel Minimah, said in the past four months, the area has witnessed influx of people and business. “The slaughter house would make the place develop”, he said,” and it would be an opportunity for us as residents to make money because when people come and transact business, we would make money.”
Another POS agent and teacher, Veronica Nsikak expressed her excitement, “I’m very happy about the new slaughter house. It would make us have more customers”.
Nsikak told The Tide that her business has improved since last year since construction activities began on the site,” business is moving on well and I believe that after the slaughter will be completed, it would get better.”
Elizabeth Jackreece, grocery seller told The Tide that, “we are happy to see this kind of thing in Mgbuoshimini.
I believe the government knows this community is the best for this kind of project since there is no government presence these past years in this place.”
She further stated that, “we that sell foodstuffs would gain a lot as people come to buy meat and food items, they also patronise us.”
A butcher at the Ayamakara Market that shares border with the new slaughter house, Mr. Felix Udoh said, “I must tell you that I am happy with the new slaughter house, at least, it would encourage our business and meat sellers”.
He revealed that he learnt about the facility four months ago as he stressed the need for the contractor to speed up work, “I want to be among those that will sell in the new slaughter house,”he declared.
An older butcher, who gave his name as Baba Awara said he is more excited over the project. Awara told The Tide that he has been in Mgbuoshimini for 29 years, as he expressed hope that he be among those that would use the new slaughter house.
While commending the governor, Awara observed that roads in the community need to be expanded, “if the roads will be expanded to allow traffic to flow then it would be better.”
The butcher stressed the need for government to link Mgbuoshimini and Nkpor with a bridge so as to decongest the main Agip Road from huge traffic that has become a major challenge stretching to Ada-George Road. “Besides, that would help attract businesses into the community.”
In addition to that, he pointed out the need for security, “anything that has a good side also has a bad side “Awara stated,” so we need, presence of the police and other security agencies here because soon, some banks will start opening branches here and we need strong security to ensure people and businesses are protected.”
In the area of security, Chairman of Mgbuo-simini, Orazi Community Development Committee (CDC), Prince Richard Chuku assured that the area is secure, “We as a people will ensure that both the people and companies are secured. We are happy to host this project and we thank the governor for remembering us as a people.”
He told The Tide that since the project began, youths of the area have enjoyed job opportunities, and the security is intact here.”
Chuku emphasised that the slaughter house is a welcome project, “it is for the betterment of Mgbuoshimini. It will bring good things here and that is why we gave the land to ensure that it is sited here.”
He charged youths of the area to be peaceful and support government projects since they have a lot to gain from the facility when it kicks off.
On the other hand, he pleaded for a water facility as he lamented that the community does not have potable water, “we don’t have potable water and you know this kind of project needs good sanitation, if we get pipe borne water, most of the water borne diseases will be controlled and people would be much safe and healthier,” he stressed.

By: Kevin Nengia