The Oyo State Government on Monday said the international standard Ibadan Central Abattoir was ready for use by butchers operating in Ibadan metropolis.
Mr Yinka Fatoki, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of Investment Promotion, made the disclosure in Ibadan on Monday after a tour of the facility.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the abattoir situated at Amosun Village in Akinyele Local Government Area is jointly owned by the Oyo State Government and 11 local government areas in Ibadan metropolis.
NAN reports that the state government had through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracted the project to C & E Ltd. to develop and manage.
Fatoki described the abattoir as the most ultra-modern in Nigeria, adding that the investment in the facility has enormous benefits to the butchers, people and government.
He said that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi had directed that the butchers should be enlightened on the benefits, rather than the use of force to relocate them as being operated in some states.
Fatoki said that the directive accounted for the recent inspection tour of the Lagos State Central Abattoir with the butchers.
“The visit was enlightening as all parties attested to the fact that a central abattoir with mechanised slaughtering slab was the best and hygienic.
“This project should be seen by all stakeholders as ours. C & E Limited’s involvement is to fund the project and it is time bound.
“The governor has directed the deployment of five buses to ply the facility from five designated routes across the metropolis,” he said.
Fatoki said that the state government would also partner with some banks on the provision of meat vans as well as provision of credit facilities to the butchers.
He said that the state government had two years ago provided N50 million interest-free loans to butchers association, out of which 1,000 butchers benefited.
“We are presently working on an insurance scheme for the butchers to access compensation whenever their animals were lost to diseases.
“The Ajimobi-led administration in the state would not relent in its effort at promoting business-friendly environment and quality services to the people,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Oladayo Oladipo, the Managing Director, C&E Ltd. assured the butchers of best services they never imagined, urging them to relocate to the new facility.
Oladipo, who conducted the media and some government officials round the facility, said that the demands of the butchers during their visit to the facility had been met.
“We have provided two surfaces and two underground tanks that can produce 600,000 litres of water on daily basis, with four other tanks as alternative.
“Our cow holding pen can house 5,000 cows at a time.
“We have a mechanised slaughter slab and two conventional slaughter slabs.
“The conventional slabs can each accommodate slaughtering of 2,000 cows on daily basis.
“We have provided a facility that can house 300 goats and pigs at a go and space for animal burning as well as processing of intestines and cow heads.
“We also have a designated dumping site for cow wastes,” he said.
Oladipo enjoined the butchers to move into the facility, promising that they would forever appreciate the services provided.
NAN reports that the abattoir has stalls for 1000 meat sellers, 170 shops, administrative building, clinic, canteen, cold room, incinerator and a car park that could accommodate 300 vehicles.
Also, there are two standard cold rooms run with two 25KVA generators as well as buildings providing toilet, bathroom and changing room facilities.
(NAN)
