By Stella Obi
Oyo State Government has presented a refrigerator meat van to butchers at Amosun Abattoir Market to prevent outbreak of disease in the state.
Presenting the van at the State Secretariat on Thursday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye stated that conveying meat with open vans and trucks is dangerous to residents in the state.
He said open van meat can be contaminated, causing diseases.
The commissioner stressed that the new van presented will prevent contamination of meat, diseases and protect lives and properties in the state.
Olaleye stated that the refrigerated van was supported by the federal government through the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
He added that the government would soon seek collaboration with butchers and investors to have more vans, adding that this would ensure hygienic meat to the consumers.
According to him, the idea of conveying meat in open trucks, taxis, and vans is not hygienic and exposes the meat to be contaminated, causing outbreaks of disease.
“All over the world and in civilised countries, there is usually a refrigerated meat van to convey meat from the abattoir to the market. This prevents meat from being contaminated and enhances hygienic meat for the end users.
He therefore enjoined the union to make judicious use of the van as well as to always support the Oyo state government’s policies.
In his remarks, the Chairman, National Butchers Union of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch, represented by the secretary, Comrade Olagoke Lateef, commended the Oyo State Government and the federal government for the gesture.
He promised that the union would make proper use of the haulage van and support the government’s policies in curbing/preventing outbreaks of disease that may emanate from meat consumption.
He equally urged the government to support the union by providing loans to boost their businesses.
