Following the official opening of the Ibadan Central Abattoir at Amosun village, Akinyele local government area of the state, the Oyo State Government on Friday gave a marching order to all butchers in different parts of the 11 local government areas and 14 local council development areas in Ibadanland to relocate to the new facility.
The government said the order must take effect latest by Monday May 11.
The order was issued to the butchers at a press conference addressed by the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Community Relations, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade; Special Adviser to the governor on Bureau of Investment and Public Private Partnership, Mrs. Tolu Sadipe; and Chairman, Aare Latosa LCDA, Bashorun Adekunle Oladeji in Ibadan.
The press conference was attended by the leadership of butchers’ associations, including Alhaji Ganiyu Olobo.
At the event, the butchers expressed fear on why the new facility would not be conducive to them, but the government representatives allayed their fears and assured them of adequate security, urging them to cooperate with the government with a view to preventing zoonotic diseases being contracted by human beings from consumption of animal meat.
In his address, the council boss, Oladeji, who spoke on behalf of the 25 local governments and LCDAs in Ibadanland, noted that the aim of relocating the butchers “is to ensure clean and hygienic environment for meat production and consumption. The state government meant well for all on this directive, which will be of immense benefits to the butchers in particular and residents in general.
“The butchers’ association at Bodija Market should as a matter of urgency move to the Central Abattoir, which has been equipped for their use. The government under Government Abiola Ajimobi is making frantic efforts to take this state to an enviable height. In lieu of this, the best practices of cow slaughtering should be adopted.
“The directive is devoid of bad intention. Therefore, the association should not allow itself to be pushed against the government in the state and Aare Latosa LCDA. All the needed facilities have been provided at the new Central Abattoir, which should be utilised, hence more patronage will be involved because of the neater and cleaner environment.
“Transportation to and from the place will never be a problem because provision will be made for it. There is no cause for alarm on how the butchers will be carrying their meat from the abattoir to the city as provision has also been made for this. Also, the distribution points in the city will still be as it was. After slaughtering of cows, the butchers will distribute or sell to their customers as normal.”
Credit: The Nation
