8th November, 2017
The Ministry of Agriculture, Jigawa, said it has taken measures to check the circulation of unwholesome meat and keep the 20 abattoirs in the state free from infections.
Dr Abdullahi Haruna, the Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday.
Haruna said that part of the measures was the distribution of sanitary and protective items to all the slaughterhouses in the state.
He said that the state government also provided cleaning agents, germicides, disinfectants, brooms, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and buckets, among others to all the 20 abattoirs.
The director added that it was to ensure the production of hygienic and healthy meat for human consumption in the state.
Haruna further told NAN that the protective items were provided to the facilities/animals/meat inspectors in order to protect themselves from infections while on duty.
He listed the protective items to include safety boots, hard-duty gloves, hooks and knives.
“They are to use the gloves while inspecting the animals or the meat, the hooks to hold the meat and the knives to cut the meat while inspecting,” he explained.
The director also listed nine major towns and 11 local and international markets that benefited from the items distributed as MalamMadori, Hadejia, KafinHausa, Gumel, Kazaure, Ringim, Dutse, Gwaram and Birninkudu.
Others are: Firji Market in Kazaure Local Government, Yarkirya Market and Kanya Market in Babura Local Government, Maigari International Market in Maigatari Local Government, Shuwarin International Market in Kiyawa Local Government and Gujungu International Market in Taura Local Government.
The rest are: Dingaya Market in Gwaram Local Government Area, Balangu Market in KafinHausa Local Government Area and Kussa Market in Birniwa Local Government Area.
The director urged the benefiting abattoirs and personnel to ensure regular use of the items in order to protect themselves and consumers from infections.