By Kennedy Aniedozie
The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sanitizing all abattoirs across the state to safeguard public health and ensure a cleaner environment.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, Esq., made this known today, July 3, during an unscheduled inspection of the Kwata Abattoir in Awka South Local Government Area ahead of the statewide environmental sanitation exercise scheduled for July 4.
Accompanied by officers of the OCHA Brigade and Environmental Health Officers from the Ministry of Environment, the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction over the deplorable sanitary conditions at the facility, including indiscriminate disposal of animal waste, poor waste management, offensive odours, and blocked drainage channels.
Dr. Aguiyi described the situation as unacceptable for a facility that processes meat for public consumption, warning that the government would not tolerate practices that threaten public health and the environment.
He directed the operators to immediately improve sanitation at the abattoir, warning that failure to comply with environmental standards would leave the government with no option but to seal the facility and commence plans to redesign and upgrade it into a modern, hygienic slaughterhouse.
The commissioner also urged the operators to participate fully in the July 4 statewide environmental sanitation exercise, noting that the current sensitisation campaign would soon give way to strict enforcement across the state.
Responding on behalf of the abattoir management, the Vice Chairman acknowledged the poor state of the facility and appreciated the commissioner’s visit. He assured the Ministry that members had been mobilised for the sanitation exercise and pledged to improve hygiene and environmental standards within the abattoir.
Dr. Aguiyi reiterated the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to building a clean, green, healthy, and livable Anambra State, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and that the government will continue to enforce environmental laws without compromise.
Kennedy Aniedozie is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
