Health
Unhygienic Conditions At Anagada Slaughterhouse Worry Gwagwalada Residents
Unhygienic conditions at Anagada slaughterhouse worry Gwagwalada residents
By Uche Bibilari
Gwagwalada residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have decried the unhygienic and deplorable state of the Anagada Livestock Market.
The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday, said the facility was poorly maintained and urgently needed upgrading to meet public health standards.
They described the slaughterhouse section as unfit for processing meat for human consumption.
A NAN correspondent who visited the market observed that animals were slaughtered on dirty floor littered with waste.
NAN reports that butchers were also seen using tyres to process animal skin which produced thick smoke that polluted the air. Slaughtered animals were washed with water from unhygienic sources.
Mrs Deborah Adiche, a trader, expressed fears that the poor sanitary conditions in the market could expose consumers to diseases.
“The way they handle meat here is very bad. Most times you see meat meant for human consumption on a dirty floor mixed with animal waste.
“Butchers also lack knowledge of standard handling, and sometimes they use motorcycles to transport the meat,” she said.
Adiche called on authorities to enforce strict hygiene practices, sensitise butchers regularly, provide vans for meat transportation and build a standard slaughterhouse with a constant water supply.
Mr Nasiru Ibrahim, a resident, said meat for public consumption should be processed in a clean environment to safeguard public health.
Mrs Bridget Adeniji, a resident, also advocated for total rehabilitation of the facility, including adequate water supply, proper waste disposal, and modern slaughter equipment.
A public health expert, Dr Emmanuel Ademola, warned that poor sanitation in slaughterhouses increases the risk of contamination and disease spread.
He urged regular veterinary inspection before and after slaughter, and strict compliance with environmental and health regulations.
Responding, an official of the market, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said management and the Area Council regularly sensitise butchers, adding that veterinary officers routinely examine livestock.
The official, however, said that compliance remained a challenge, adding that some workers failed to adhere to established hygiene standards in spite of continuous awareness and sensitisation.
He explained that the slaughterhouse had four boreholes connected to overhead tanks to ensure water supply.
He said that a gas-powered roasting system earlier introduced could not cope with the volume of work.
“We told them to look for another alternative and we are still waiting,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to governments and spirited individuals to provide a modern and sustainable roasting system for abattoirs across the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/
