LASG COMMENCES REMOVAL OF SHANTIES AT OKO-OBA ABATTOIR

Lagos State Government has commenced the removal of shanties at Oko-Oba abattoir to ensure a healthy and hygienic abattoir condition in the State, just as it held an interactive session with the butchers and other stakeholders of the abattoir to discuss the modalities of the proposed upgrade and rehabilitation of the market.

Speaking during the demolition exercise, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Oluwatoyin Suarau restated the commitment of the government to give the abattoir a befitting status which a mega city market deserves and urged the stakeholders to give maximum support to the government to enhance a successful implementation of the project.

He stated that the State Government will not relent in its efforts to improve the hygienic condition of the market, stressing that “the Lagos State Government is not planning to chase away anybody from the State, as being rumored by some butchers and cow merchants. I want us all to see this administration’s initiatives as a way of sanitizing and ensuring a hygienic process in the Red Meat Value Chain. We should not see this project as a government instrument to disrupt the activities of the market”.

Hon. Suarau disclosed that the completion of the project will be advantageous to the abattoir operators and Lagosians at large as the proposed project will usher in a fully equipped abattoir with a stand by clinic within the complex for health emergencies and also a mini market for basic needs.

He, therefore, urged the stakeholders to be in full support of the project as their input in pointing out miscreants and illegal inhabitants of the abattoir is required in restoring sanity to the entire market.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya who was also present at the event, spoke extensively on the significance of upgrading the market and stressed the need for government to monitor and ensure a safe red meat market that will conform to the mega city status.

He stressed that every section of the market should evacuate their belongings as the construction will not be done in batches but at once.

Dr. Onasanya, however, maintained that the present administration is determined to ensure the attainment of food security in partnership with Lagosians, adding that food security and a hygienic environment will facilitate job and wealth creation as well as poverty reduction in the State.