Visit the abattoir construction site. - The National Association of Nigerian Traders NANTS

On Saturday 15th April 2023, NANTS hosted some dignitaries who visited the abattoir construction site. 

Among the visitors were;

1. Professor Latif Sani (Head of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture  – IITA, Abuja), 

2. Mr Itodo (Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – FMARD), 

3. Dr Matthew Ananoba (National Coordinator in charge of Agricultural sector at the National Action Committee on AfCFTA – NAC),

4. Mr Edoga (CEO ID Petros Consult) and 

5. Mr Aziz Salami (CEO Community Action for Food Security CAFS) at the abattoir today.

THE Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Abuja was also represented.

The visitors who were given a guided tour round the abattoir facility, applauded the ingenuity and integrated nature of the facility, as well as the vision for hygienic meat production and waste/environmental management concept as explicitly explained by Dr Ken Ukaoha.

The modern abattoir model is the first of it’s kind in FCT, and is envisioned to serve as a model and pilot which will define an ideal of meat production and processing factory in Nigeria and theECOWAS region. 

It is also envisioned to serve as a citadel of learning for Students of higher institutions, as well as a training center to equip butchers, meat processors, traders and logistics value chain actors and other meat handlers with skills of good hygienic production and processing practices.

Owing to the unhygienic state of public abattoirs in the country, the NANTS modern abattoir will serve as an imperative for private sector investment to accentuate the relevance of hygienic meat production for public consumption.

The visit today brought to the fore the need to identify key players in the meat value chain and map out systems for harmonization.

Besides the accolades earned by this laudable initiative of Dr Ken, the concern pertaining to source of supply of cattle to sustain the abattoir output was identified as an aspect that needs to be sorted out before production commences.

In line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) vision, NANTS is also exploring the potentials inherent in the AfCFTA towards freely exporting processed meat and meat products within the African continent.

Suffice it to say that the meeting today marks the beginning of a process for further high profile stakeholders interactions and engagements that would enhance business relationships and create more visibility for the NANTS project.

The ingenuity and courage of the NANTS President was particularly commended, and the expression of the visitors obviously signified approval and willingness to partner towards the success of the project.