The Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) Team of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday dislodged two illegal slaughter slabs located at the New Alade Market and Idi Ogbo, Eleko, Ibeju Lekki.
Speaking on the enforcement, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the exercise was in furtherance of the State’s sanitation and reform of the red meat value chain aimed at producing only wholesome meat for the consumption of its citizenry.
Olusanya disclosed that during the operation at the New Alade Market, three butchers were arrested and 29 live goats, three live sheep, 14 slaughtered goats as well as meat carcass weighing 30kg were confiscated, adding that the confiscated carcass had since been donated to the Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba, after confirming it suitable for consumption.
She added that over 1.5 tonnes of meat carcass confiscated at the Idi Ogbo in Eleko during the exercise were also donated to the Bab-El-Salam Home and Correctional Home for Boys, Oregun.
According to her, illegal slaughter slabs, abattoirs and meat markets pose a health hazard to the State and its residents because the animals slaughtered and sold in those places are not inspected by veterinary officials thus, the wholesomeness of such meat could not be ascertained, necessitating the dislodgement exercise.
Her words: “Today, our Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) Team dislodged an illegal sheep and goat slaughter slab at the New Alade Market, Oregun. During the operation, three butchers were arrested. Also, 29 live goats, three live sheep, 14 slaughtered goats as well a meat carcass weighing 30 kg were confiscated. The confiscated carcass has been confirmed safe by our doctors and we have donated it to Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba”.
“You will recall that the MEC Team resumed its activities last week after it was suspended last year following the unrest that accompanied the #EndSARS protest. Last year, there was an option of a fine on confiscated live animals but this year, it will not be so. All confiscated live animals will be auctioned at the Mobile Court of the Task Force Office and all arrested offenders will be duly prosecuted”, the Commissioner averred.
Olusanya, however, appealed to all operators of illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the State to desist from such harmful activities, while urging residents to only patronise approved meat shops and abattoirs for their meat products in order to ensure the safety of the meat consumed.
