*Issues squatters 2-week ultimatum
By Olasunkanmi Akoni  & Monsur Olowoopejo 
 
Lagos— Governor  Babatubde Fashola of Lagos State has approved  N400 million for the construction of two standard abattoirs which are expected to be ready within 12 months.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Mr. Kolapomoye Ajiboso, who made the disclosure at his Alausa, Ikeja  office, said the move was part of the government’s effort to increase food production and availability in the state as well as make meat production safe for human consumption.
Locations

The abattoirs, to be located at Ologe in Araromi-Ale to service the Badagry axis and Achakpo in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council, will come with facilities for slaughtering 1,000 cattle daily.

He further disclosed that two other abattoirs at Ikorodu and Epe were awaiting approval from the state government
Meanwhile, the government has issued a two-week ultimatum to owners of illegal structures and squatters at the Oko-Oba abattoir in Agege to vacate the market premises or face prosecution.

Ajiboso said the move was part of the government’s measure to reduce the spread of contagious diseases and money spent on health care.

The state government also warned operators of illegal slaughter slabs in the state to desist from the act saying, “the state only has seven approved slaughter slabs in the state.”
Approved abbatoirs

Approved slaughter slabs include Matori, and Coker Aguda among others.
Ajiboso handed out the ultimatum ahead the planned demolition of squatters and illegal structures at the abattoir, lairage and animal market at Oko-Oba, Agege.

He said it was the only way the state government could give the area a face-lift and make the place compete with other abattoirs in other parts of the world.

His words: “All squatters within the abattoir and lairage complex, the animal market in the state are advised to vacate the premises of the Abattoir and animal market as well as dismantle all illegal structures they have erected within the market.

“If after two weeks of issuance of this directive anyone is still found staying or occupying illegal structure or shanties within the above mentioned facilities, Lagos State Government will have no option than to take appropriate action to deal with such illegal occupiers and their illegal structures.”

He warned that Oko-Oba market is not a place of abode for all kinds of people as it is presently the case at Agege Abattoir, lairage and animal market, hence they must vacate the place immediately.

He explained that whenever those cattle marketers come into the state to transact their businesses, they refuse to go back to their state, instead they choose to remain within the market premises.

Chairman of the state Special Task force, Superintendent Bayo Sulaimon, said the plan to develop the place into a world class abattoir had been in process since April. He urged squatters to heed the government’s advice.