Lagos gives 2 weeks ultimatum to operators of illegal abattoirs

By Chioma Obinna

Lagos State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to operators of illegal abattoirs in the state to shut down or face the wrath of the law, following increasing circulation of unwholesome processed meat and others.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suarau, who handed down the ultimatum, said operators of illegal abattoirs located within military cantonments and barracks in the State, where Veterinary Officers were denied access should be closed down as government would no longer tolerate such illegal practice.

Suarau said his ministry had deployed veterinary officers to all recognised abattoirs in the state to inspect and certify level of hygiene applied by the various abattoirs.

According to him, “all meat in the state must be certified by these professionals to guarantee the wholesomeness in the process of meat that Lagosians consume. Government has handled significantly the distribution aspect by introducing the Eko Refrigerated meat van which is now used to transport meat rather than the former obnoxious meat transportation.

‘’Government will continue to close down illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs which are not hygienic and not in compliant with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state.”