By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

LAGOS State Government has threatened to close down Oko Oba Abattoir and Lairage in Agege if unhygienic practices and non compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering continues even as it inaugurated a 17 man task force committee on the abattoir and animal market in the state with the aim of ensuring wholesome practices.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative, Prince Gbolahan Lawal gave the charge while inaugurating a 17 man committee, making up the taskforce, chaired by Mr. Olaitan Muaz.

Lawal, warned that the state government would not condone any act of uncleanness and lawlessness in meat processing and delivery.

He said: ‘’Let me tell you that I will not hesitate to lock up any abattoir found to be in unhygienic condition as well as non compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state. The present administration led by Governor Babatunde Fashola is committed to ensure food security and safety in Lagos State.

“Attention will be given to all areas of food supply chain with emphasis now on the consumption of wholesome meat by the citizens’‘

While stating that the abattoir handles about 80 per cent of the meat consumed in the state, the commissioner noted that the mechanised slaughtering facility at the abattoir is not fully in use and the government has mandated the Management, Harmony Abattoir Management Company to ensure that the slaughtering on the slab are abolished within the six months on a monthly basis.

Lawal disclosed that the state government had commenced the review of the Eko Meat Van project to introduce refrigerated standard transport system for meat slaughtered at the various slaughtering facilities in the state, adding that this is in accordance with the provisions of the section  32 of the Meat Inspection Law of Lagos State, CAP M3 of 2003.