IF the environment around abattoirs in most parts of Anambra State is anything to go by, most people in the state concerned about their health would soon stop eating cow meat slaughtered in those abattoirs. However, one person who has already stopped eating meat as a result of the worrisome condition of most abattoirs in the state is the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike.

Akabuike, while bemoaning the condition of abattoirs in the state said that when the present administration in the state assumed office, the governor, Chief Willie Obiano became concerned and directed him (the health commissioner) to do something about it.

After visiting some of the abattoirs, the commissioner said he was so much worried that he immediately stopped eating cow meat. “After going through our abattoirs, I decided to be eating fish and the reason is because it is suicidal to eat meat coming out from the dirty abattoirs,” he said. As a result of the condition of the abattoirs, the state government decided to set up a committee to improve their conditions.

He said: “When the report is submitted, we will come up with a comprehensive programme on how to improve our abattoirs. It is likely that we will build standard abattoirs and phase out the existing ones. “What we have in this state are not abattoirs. We have ideas of what we should have as abattoirs and we are working towards it.
It is cheaper to build new abattoirs than to rehabilitate the existing ones that do not have good source of water supply, no proper drainage system and no clean environment for operations.”

At the popular abattoir at the Kwata area of Awka, the operators told South East Voice that in spite of monies they pay to the authorities for operating at the abattoir, they clean the area themselves on a daily basis. A visit to the abattoirs showed that the operators use the same platform for slaughtering cows for bathing and watching their clothes.

The stench from the abattoir could also be smelt around the nearby Udoka housing estate and the dirty water from the abattoir flows into the streets. Many people residing around the abattoir have had to relocate when the stench became unbearable. Despite the dirty environment, hundreds of meat buyers converge there everyday to make their purchases.

Also at another abattoir at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area on Onitsha –Enugu express way, a section of the community living close to the abattoir has abandoned their houses and relocated to other villages. The controversial Umunya abattoir was brought into the community by a prominent son of the area and despite opposition from his people, he allegedly used his connection in government to ensure that it is not relocated.