Nasarawa State Government has issued a warning that the Lafia Modern Abattoir may be shut down following concerns over its poor sanitary conditions.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Nasarawa State, Dr. Margaret Elayo, made the disclosure while addressing journalists after inspecting the monthly sanitation exercise in Lafia, the state capital, on Saturday.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hussaini Babayi, Elayo expressed disappointment over the unhygienic state of the Lafia Modern Abattoir and warned that the government would no longer condone such practices at the facility.
The Commissioner, therefore noted that the Ministry will monitor the activities of the abattoir to ensure cleanliness and strict compliance with the sanitation laws of the state, stressing that the unhygienic act threatens the health and well-being of the residents.
“The Abattoir is a sensitive place. This is because of the activities that are being carried out there. So there is a need to educate the public particularly those working in the abattoir to prioritise healthy practices.
“We are concerned about it because the citizens consume whatever they bring out from that place, so there is a need for them to put in more effort to ensure that the cleanliness of the place improves. We have warned that we will visit the place again soon,” she explained.
She further expressed optimism that with the government’s call for adherence to proper management, the butchers would adhere to the sanitation guidelines to avert the wrath of the law.
The Commissioner further appreciated the contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, and security agencies, noting that their support played a vital role in the successful conduct of the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
In a separate remark, the Ministry’s Chief Prosecuting Officer, Abubakar Muhammad, revealed that a total of 86 offenders were arrested across the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa for breaching the state’s sanitation regulations.
