Lagos set to remove shanties at Oko-Oba abattoir

The  Lagos State government is set to remove all shanties at Oko-Oba abattoir and lairage complex with a view to ensuring a healthy and hygienic abattoir condition in the state.

In line with this, the state government held an interactive session with butchers and other stakeholders of the abattoir to discuss the modalities of the proposed upgrading and rehabilitation of the complex.

Presiding over the meeting was the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, who stated the commitment of the government to give the abattoir a befitting status a mega city market deserves, urging stakeholders to give support to the government to enhance a successful implementation of the project.

He stated  that government’s motive was to improve the hygienic condition of the market and not to victimise anyone. “I want us all to see this gathering as a family meeting. We should not see this project as a government instrument to disrupt the activities of the market,” he said.

Suarau added that the removal of the shanties would commence soon, asking occupants to evacuate their valuables and move to the lairage temporarily for their activities pending the completion of the project.

The commissioner, in a release by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, noted that the completion of the project would be at the advantage of the abattoir operators and the people of Lagos at large as it would usher in a mega city equipped abattoir with a stand-by clinic within the complex which can take care of certain health issues and emergencies and a mini market which will cater for some basic needs.

“As we speak, the government has completed the fencing of the abattoir and the heap of refuse which has existed for many years had been cleared. The beautification of the entrance and surroundings of the abattoir has also commenced,”  the commissioner added.

He further urged stakeholders to be in support of the project as their input in pointing out miscreants and illegal inhabitants of the abattoir is required to restore sanity to the entire market.

The permanent secretary, Dr Olayiwole Onasanya, who was also present at the event, spoke extensively on the significance of the upgrading of the market and stressed the need for government to monitor and ensure a safe meat market that will conform to the mega city status.

He urged every section of the market to evacuate their belongings as the construction will not be done in batches but at once. “Government will not remove the shanties in batches as this will make the government spend more,” he said.

Onasanya, however, restated the commitment of the administration towards the attainment of food security with partnership of every citizen of the state. “Food security and hygienic environment is in the front burner of this administration to facilitate job and wealth creation as well as poverty reduction,” he added.

Also present at the event was the Serikin Hausawa of Agege, Alhaji Musa Muhammadu Dogonkadai, who commended the state government’s all-inclusive style of governance which ensures they are carried along in developmental processes in the state.

He further assured the government that his people are in full support of developments in the state.