In a bid to uphold meat handling standards and safeguard public health, the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to crackdown on illegal abattoirs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Mandate Secretary, Lawan Geidam, conveyed this commitment during a meeting with officials from the FCT Butchers Association in Abuja.
Mr. Geidam emphasized the necessity of ensuring that abattoirs in the FCT adhere to minimum standards, highlighting concerns about the safety of meat consumed by the public.
He disclosed that the Veterinary Services Department, under the FCTA, is actively monitoring and enforcing compliance with operational standards to mitigate potential threats posed by unauthorized abattoirs.
Geidam stated, “Our objective is in line with the statutory mandate of the secretariat, which is to ensure that abattoirs in the FCT are not only duly registered and certified but also up to standard for the good of public health.”
He assured the butchers of the secretariat’s commitment to addressing the various challenges affecting the sub-sector.
According to him, government is making efforts to provide water supply and ensure efficient waste management in the abattoirs.
He added that the administration was also concluding plans to establish bio-gas stations to serve as an alternative to the hazardous practice of using tires in processing animal skins.
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“We will not ignore the significant issues facing our abattoirs, including the need for potable water and regular waste disposal.
“I assure you that the present leadership of the FCT Administration is working hard to maintain standards in service delivery across all sectors in the FCT.
“The secretariat will intensify its daily meat inspection activities at the various abattoirs to ensure that no animal is slaughtered without being certified safe by the veterinary doctors,” he emphasized. #FCTA