The Lagos State Government has announced that the Oko-Oba Abattoir will remain closed indefinitely until operators fully comply with the state's environmental guidelines and hygiene standards.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this declaration on Sunday during a live television appearance, emphasizing that the facility would not resume operations unless its managers commit to maintaining standards required of a modern and sanitary abattoir.
Persistent Environmental Violations
According to Wahab, the decision to seal the facility followed persistent breaches of environmental laws, including poor hygiene practices, improper waste disposal, and unsafe handling of animal products. Nearby residents and property owners have reportedly suffered from the abattoir's reckless waste management practices, which have generated numerous complaints.
"We made difficult but necessary decisions," Wahab stated. "Despite prior engagements with the operators urging them to adopt cleaner practices, they continued to defy regulations. Resorting to religious sentiment as a form of blackmail is unacceptable. We cannot permit slaughtering practices that pollute public infrastructure and endanger the health and property of Lagosians."
Shocking Conditions Discovered
The Ministry of Agriculture had raised concerns after observing a significant decline in sanitary conditions at the site. During a recent inspection, officials were alarmed by the level of environmental degradation, including scenarios where animals were removed from their pens to create sleeping space for humans, and where blood and animal waste were being discharged directly into public drainage systems.
Despite the availability of modern slaughtering equipment, Wahab lamented that only about 10% was being utilized, with operators continuing to rely on unsafe, outdated methods.
"This is Lagos, not a jungle," the commissioner emphasized. "We've introduced them to global best practices, even taken them overseas to learn. Still, many refuse to change."
Enforcement Actions
Following the shutdown, some operators reportedly relocated their activities to roadside locations and an abandoned gas station. The government has dispatched enforcement teams to address these illegal operations.
In response to concerns about potential meat price increases, Wahab stressed that public health protection remains non-negotiable. "There may be a temporary increase in prices, but should that come at the cost of human lives and environmental damage?" he questioned.
The commissioner confirmed that regulatory agencies including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWAMO) are working together to enforce hygiene standards in abattoirs across the state.
Government officials have met with the concessionaire, Harmony Abattoir, and the operators' leader, Galadima, insisting that waste must be properly treated through effluent systems rather than discharged into public drainage.
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