Better deal for meat consumers in Lagos  

If the private sector keys into the vision that is driving the current administration in Lagos, millions of meat consumers in the state can look to an improved quality and quantity of what they consume and how it is processed and delivered to them.

The state government is proposing to establish two semi-mechanised abattoirs and 10 other small abattoirs in partnership with the private sector, aimed at meeting the need of the growing population estimated at 21 million. The projects are also conceived to ensure that meat consumed by the residents conform to expected hygiene and quality.

A document sighted by Cityfile and signed by Olayiwole Onasanya, the permanent secretary in the state ministry of agriculture, showed that the two semi-mechanised abattoirs are to be established in Epe and Ojo, while the additional 10 medium abattoirs with modern facilitiesare proposed across the state.

The semi-mechanised abattoirs are proposed to have the capacity to slaughter 800 to 1000 cattle (each) per day, in line with industry operating standards.  These are to be delivered on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The document also showed that the 10 small modern abattoirs would have the capacity for 200 to 400 cattle per day and would be executed through what the state termed “defined negotiated periods.”

In addition, the investors would be required to ensure compliance with all state statutory requirements and relevant procedures.

“All required designs and construction shall be in compliance with the industry best practices. The operation of the projects shall be subject to regulations and standards issued by the ministry of agriculture or any other relevant statutory regulatory agency,” Onasanya said in the document.

The government is also looking to upgrading the existing abattoir in Oko-Oba area of Agege. Among things expected to be done also through a PPP arrangement include the installation of facilities for waste conversion (Bio Gas Plant), construction of transit camp, provision of general cleaning services, construction of stripe processing facility as well as rehabilitation and maintenance of waste recycling plant.

The way and manner animals are slaughtered, processed and delivered to the consuming public in many Nigerian cities has been a concern to meat consumers.  In Lagos, notwithstanding measures by previous administrations, there are still some misgivings about the handling of meat in the state.

According to the government, the proposed new abattoirs and upgrade of facilities at the existing Oko-Oba is “to curb the menace of uncoordinated meat processing and handling as well as markets scattered across the state.”

JOSHUA BASSEY