Markets in Abuja and its environs may witness
severe scarcity of meat as members of association of butchers in the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) will observe a one-day ‘no work’ to protest against the
influx of unhealthy meat products from neighbouring states.
It was gathered on Sunday that the butchers in the
city plan to hold a meeting on Monday to deliberate on how to deal with the bad
eggs among them who have been involved in the sale of contaminated meat to
unsuspecting buyers.
One of the butchers, who spoke to journalists at the
weekend at the Abattoir in Kubwa, said they want use the opportunity to
identity all genuine butchers, as well as sensitise them on the need to always
maintain food safety standards as prescribed by the government.
According to the source, some persons are in the
practice of bringing meat from slaughtered donkey, horse and even animals with
diseases to sell to consumers in Abuja.
He said the butchers have resolved that no animal would
be slaughtered on Monday in any of its facilities in Abuja so that they can, in
conjunction with relevant enforcement units at Ministry of Health, identify the
source of the meat that floods the FCT markets.
It was also learnt that as part of measures to
ensure healthy practices at the abattoirs, the government has directed that health
officials must certify every animal fit for consumption before being
slaughtered.
When contacted for his comment, the Assistant
Director at the Abuja office of the Vetenary Medicine and Allied Products, the
agency regulating operations of abattoirs, Mr. Bashir, said the office is not
aware of the plan to withdraw sale of meat products by the butchers.
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