A positive move by the Rivers State government in enhancing meat hygiene and modernization of livestock production is the commissioning of a modern abattoir owned by private individuals whose purpose is to ensure that the meat produced is done hygienically as well as to increase investment in the livestock industry.
This abattoir, which has been established by livestock investor Bassey Duke through the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), is anticipated to create employment opportunities as well as increase food safety standards.
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In his speech during the commissioning, the Rivers State Chairman of NACDPAMN, Godspower Amadi, referred to the abattoir as an excellent facility that helps in ensuring modern meat processing of livestock production.
According to Amadi, the venture is aimed at helping improve the quality of meat that is supplied to consumers as well as assisting in economic diversification and solving security concerns associated with traditional livestock transport.
He advised that people should visit the processing plant, noting that arrangements have been made to have hygienic vehicles for the transportation of processed meat to the buyers.
The founder of the venture, Bassey Duke, said that the venture was motivated by the desire to revolutionize the archaic process of slaughtering cattle in Nigeria in order to make the livestock business more profitable.
He urged the government to assist the businessmen with funding for advanced machinery, cold storage and even mobile freezers.
“This is a business of peasantry. It is sad that in this period and age, we continue to slaughter cattle in the same manner our parents did several decades ago,” Duke stated.
Duke encouraged more investment in livestock by stating that it was an important economic frontier to be tapped into.
Mustapha Ibrahim, who supplies livestock, praised the move while calling for better collaboration between all stakeholders and the security forces in addressing the problems surrounding cattle transport throughout the nation.
