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By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Obinwanne Butchers Association (OBA), Awka, Anambra State, Thursday, sought Governor Chukwuma Soludo's intervention to rebuild and equip their existing slaughters house with modern facilities to promote healthy living and climate friendly environment.
The Association's Chairman, Chief Charles Okafor, who made the appeal in an interview, explained that the private slaughter house built since 1976 requires urgent government attention to provide enabling environment for them to operate optimally as well as reduce cost members incurred in maintaining the facility frequently.
“I have made serious efforts to change the narratives of slaughtering cows and goats and selling same in an unhygienic environment to the public. I have value for good health and cleanliness so with sensitisation our members have been cooperating to ensure good market environment.
“We contributed about N860,000 in September 2021 to dig a borehole to supply water against the use of shallow well being use before my assumption of office in May. I built administrative office, slaughter slabs, animal cage, toilets amongst other units to make the environment friendly ”he said.
He recalled that they pay their monthly levies of ₦100,000 and inspection fee, adding that the Ministry of Environment officers and veterinary doctors inspect the facility on daily bases to certify both the animals and the environments.
According to him, governor Soludo had within six months of his administration rehabilitated erosion site threatening roads leading to the centre and appealed to him to attend to their other needs for the health and general well-being of them and their patrons.
Also speaking, another butcher, Mr Ezekiel Nwafor and a buyer, Mrs Franca Okeke explained that given the facility a facelift would go a long way in addressing the health needs of the entire citizenry because the facility serves the Awka Capital Territory and beyond.