The Sorry State of Benue Slaughter Houses
The Sorry State of Benue Slaughter Houses
Erich Adah & George Tseen
Over time, the public has raised concern about slaughter houses, slabs or abattoirs. Most of the meat handlers have failed to follow the elementary rules of hygiene as the carcasses are badly handled.
Ngozi Oyenero who buys meat from one of the slaughter houses in Makurdi said she is confident that the animals are in a good condition. To her, the presence of veterinary doctors at the slabs is enough reason not to worry.
Moses Kule on his part said he is disturbed by the unhygienic nature of the slaughter slabs and how the meat meant for human consumption is handled. In reality, the environment is despicable as it is deplorable for such a sensible business. He said more need to be done to make these places worthwhile.
The Chairman Meat Sellers Association Wurukum Abattoir Austin Owugbu said their animals are checked properly by the team of veterinarians approved by government on daily basis, to ascertain the health of the animals before slaughter. He said any animal that is confirmed by the doctors to be unhealthy is not allowed to be slaughtered. He also said they do not slaughter sick animals, because family and friends also eat the meat. On the allegation that the meat sellers sometimes bribe the doctors, he said “we do not give money to the doctors and the doctors do not ask for money. We do the right thing.
On infrastructure, Terkura Abagi who is the Vice Chairman, Meat Sellers Association Gwer-West Local Government Area said the make-shift construction was first situated opposite the Naka Motor Park, and later relocated to the current site at the riverside; opposite RCM Primary School, Naka: We do not have another slaughter house till date, even after making concerted efforts as a group by writing to the government severally, there is no response from the government. He also said “the government has provided health personnel both at the state and local government levels who inspect the animals to be slaughtered. They also inspect the meat and certify it for human consumption.
Some Veterinarians including Dr. Godwin Aorga of Makurdi and Avambe Benjamin of Naka said they do their best to ensure that meat handlers conform to world best practices. That meat sold in the market to consumers meet the global health standards and in doing so they inspect the environment where the meat is butchered, carryout a pre-mortem before slaughtering and also a post mortem after it has been slaughtered to make sure that the meat sold to consumers is good for human consumption.
Dr. Aorga specifically said “the state of the abattoir in terms of infrastructure is not so good however the main activity that takes place here is slaughtering of cattle’s and selling of meat which the doctors are posted here to check the health condition of animals that are slaughtered. We carryout proper test before we permit for slaughter or rejection.”
Experts said meat when properly cooked has no negative effect in terms of germs or parasites. But the slaughter slabs, houses or abattoirs in Makurdi are below standard. This calls for concern, because of the state of the slaughter houses.
