TS begins construction of World-Class Abattoir in Abuja - The National Association of Nigerian Traders NANTS

By Emmanuella

Anokam use blogger outreach for your b2b marketing latest nigerian newsonline The National Nigerian Traders Association (TS), in collaboration with the West African Institute for Agricultural Trade and Development (WAITAD), has started construction of a small, world-class slaughterhouse at the Gwagwalada Regional Council, in Abuja.

The project is labeled “Innovative investment in the development and trade of the livestock and meat value chain”. latest nigerian newsonline It is supported by ECOWAS and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation with the Regional Council of Gwagwalada and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as collaborators.

TS Chairman Dr Ken Ukaoha speaking at the project launch on Friday in Giri, Gwagwalada, Abuja, said the project will be completed within the next six months. Ukaoha explained that the project is part of his measures to tackle faulty and outdated practices of slaughtering, processing and handling meat in the territory.

He noted that the livestock and meat sector along the West African corridor, particularly the marketing sub-sector, was fraught with challenges, ranging from antiquated slaughter infrastructure, obsolete processing and unsanitary handling and environment. He cited others such as weak distribution networks, inability to compete with imports and weak capacity to attract investment and mobilize youth employment, among others. “A visit to an average slaughterhouse and meat market in Nigeria shows a disgusting view of unhygienic practices which instead pose big risks to public health and indeed provide fertile ground for a possible pandemic. “In essence, the current era of COVID-19 and other related diseases has made sanitation very necessary and calls for serious investment and caution in the preparation and consumption of meat and other livestock products. . “And it is for these compelling reasons that TS and the members of its consortium have sought to solve the problems by taking a holistic and integrated approach that will cover several related and independent activities, even beyond the construction of the slaughterhouse.” , Ukaoha said. According to the president, the slaughterhouse, when completed, will present best practices to West African practitioners and serve as a training arena for butchers and other meat value chain practitioners, traders, carriers and other handlers. He said it would also increase professionalism and profitability through the establishment of improved meat processing facilities, environmental hygiene standards and effective regulatory measures.

 He further noted that this would mobilize investment and attract job creation targeting young people across the livestock and meat value chain. The boss of TS highlighted other activities of the center, including the installation of a support facility for packaging and the establishment of waste digestion, a biogas collection infrastructure, a green section and a link to the ICT market. In a remark, Dr John Ofoha, representative of WAITAD, said the project would ensure massive job creation for young people, create wealth and reduce the level of poverty in the region. Ofoha, who described the project as improving knowledge for butchers, expressed WAITAD’s willingness to continue partnering with TS on projects that would improve citizens’ standard of living. Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, deputy director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, congratulated TS on the project, which he said aligns with his current government agenda to ensure food security. Mohammed, while expressing his commitment to ensure that the project achieves the desired goal, added that it deserves to be replicated across the country. Also speaking, Alhaji Mustapha Adamu, Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Regional Council, congratulated TS for choosing the regional council for the project from among the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country. Adamu, represented by Mr. Yohanna Ishaya, Head of the Council’s Veterinary Division, said the intention to locate the project in Gwagwalada was “divine” due to the University of Abuja and the Research Institute located In the region. He approved the extension of his road to the expressway for accessibility, adding that it would expose citizens to progress. Nigerian Butchers Association FCT President Alhaji Ahmed Balogun expressed his enthusiasm saying that “we have come together for this kind of opportunity to improve our butcher’s business, we pray to God for its actualization” . (www.news.ne)

 Source: NAN