Audu Ogbeh, Others Laud Ondo’s N528m Abattoir Project

James Sowole in Akure
The Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday declared that the newly inaugurated modern and semi-mechanised abattoir built by the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko administration was in line with the vision of the Federal Government for agriculture development.

Ogbeh stated this in a goodwill message as a special guest of honour at the inauguration of the project that cost the government N528 million. Represented by a Director in the ministry, Mrs. Funke Omogbemi, Ogbeh, who enjoined other states too emulate Ondo State, said the facility is of world standard.

“This infrastructure will no doubt hold the key in the provision of hygienically processed meat which will enhance good and healthy eating habits, job opportunities for those who will be directly involved as well as other markets which its presence will attract and develop”, he said.

The minister described the project as timely particularly now the nation is diversifying from a mono economy dependent on oil to other critical sectors like agriculture

He said the new abattoir would enable ondo state people to process and eat hygienic meat as well as open doors for socio economic development of the state. Describing the abattoir as fantastic development that will enable the livestock chain to add value to their basic products saying that it signifies a departure from the old filthy abattoir that could possibly breed diseases and infections.

He said the project is not only a beacon of hope to our economy’s revival but also an assurances to constant production of wholesome meat in Akure

The Guest Speaker and President Veterinary Council of Nigeria Prof Garuba Sharubutu declared that the facility would remove the state from those states with high incidence of predisposition factors for infections Sahrubutu, a Prof .of Veterinary Public Health and Provost Federal College of Animal Production and Health Vom, Jos said Mimiko has set a standard and benchmark for the succeeding governors in the state and called on other governors in Nigeria to emulate him.

Addressing the gathering, Mimiko said the idea of theproject, which cost the government about N528 million was conceived in 1983 but suffered various stages of abandonment, was re-awarded in 2011. He said the project was executed in the resolve of the administration to curb the menace of supply of unwholesome meat processed in unhygienic environments.

According to the governor, an average of about 350 heads of cattle are slaughtered and processed for human consumption from about 70 unhygienic local slaughter slabs scattered around the State. He emphasized the need for a modern abatoir to give way for more hygenic meat for human consumption to eradicate avoidable disease through meat.