Itoro Bassey
The Itam Central Abattoir urgently requires a facelift in order to boost revenue for the Akwa Ibom State government and create employment opportunities for the youth.
Hon Ubong Attah, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, said this during a visit by members of his commitee to the abattoir on Friday.
Attah was accompanied by members of his commitee, including Jerry Otu of Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara state constituency, Uduak Ekpo-Ufot (Etinan), and Nsidibe Akata of Eket state constituency. They were taken round the abattoir facility by officials from the state ministry of agriculture.
“Fairly, we can say that everything is working quite well. But the main thing is that we need to increase the efficiency of this abattoir and ensure that we generate revenue for the government and provide employment for the youth.
“We are here in the abattoir in respect of the agricultural agenda of Pastor Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom State, which seeks to provide job opportunities for our people. So, I’m using this opportunity to call upon all the youths in Akwa Ibom State to embrace agriculture.
“The attitude of our famers must be improved so that we can bring dividends of agriculture to Akwa Ibom State and increase the value chain.
“The value chain of agriculture is very important, not just in farming or trading; we have to explore other agricultural value chains along the commodities that we engage in, whether goats, cattle, oil palm, maize, and rice, among others.
“We have heard the concerns of the operators here and we have seen the slaughterhouses.
“We will represent it effectively by making legislations and bringing recommendations through the appropriate sources so that we can reach the governor to present these challenges”, Attah said.
During the inspection exercise, local butchers, women, and business owners expressed their concerns about the poor condition of the abattoir, urging the government to rehabilitate it for a hygienic working environment.
Additionally, Alhaji Mohammed Mijinyawa, Chairman of the Cattle Dealers and Livestock Association, called for financial support to combat the challenges posed by the country’s struggling economy.
A standard abattoir should have qualified personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, proper lairage, adequate and portable water supply, good drainage and efficient sanitation system, among other needs.
This reporter observed that the Itam central abattoir’s waste management system also needs attention, as the stench was already causing discomfort for nearby residents.
Other photos of the visit:
