-The inspection team kicks off with an unscheduled inspection to Abattoirs in Ebonyi
A joint team of Health officers, Veterinary practitioners and the media on Saturday stormed some abattoirs in Ebonyi state. It is a start of a detailed health inspection of abattoirs in the state which is an initiative of the ever caring and fatherly Governor, Engr David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE on ensuring healthy living of Ebonyians and beyond.
The team was led by Dr. Sunday Nwagele visited the abattoirs to inspect as well as educate animal butchers and traders on standard healthy practices in their various abattoirs.
The first Abattoir visited was the Eugeneco Abbatoir where cows, goats and rams are traded and slaughtered , on arrival, the team was welcomed by butchers and traders there present as well gave the team an exclusive tour of the Abattoir. Speaking on behalf of the butchers and traders was Mr Eugene Okonkwo who is the chairman of the Abattoir pledged to work with the government on this initiative by ensuring that their butchers maintain standard health practices while on their daily businesses. He also mentioned that prior to the visit that Vetenary practioners come regularly to examine the animals before they are slaughtered .
Hon. Nwangele appreciated their efforts so far and encouraged them to get a water tank to channel their borehole instead of channelling it to depilated well, stressing that if they fail to comply with the directive, the government will not hesitate to close down their business.
The team moved to the chicken market where it was observed that instead of digging a soakaway and channeling their waste water to it, the butchers channeled their dirty water to the public drainage system. Hon. Nwangele frowned at this ugly practice and directed them to dig a pit and channel their waste water there. He also admonished them to maintain proper hygiene while running their business and to bury any bird that dies on its own as such bird could be infected and hazardous to health.
The last place visited for the day was the Nkwo Ngbo market popularly known as Nkwo Jackie in Ezzangbo, Ohaukwu local Government Area, the team was however very sad with how dirty and unkept the abattoir was with animal Dungs and Carcas littered everywhere. Nwangele expressed anger at the laiz affaire attitude of the butchers and traders and gave them a 7day ultimatum to clean up the Abattoir or risk it being shut down by the government.
Hon. Nwangele stressed that Engr. David Umahi is majorly concerned with the welfare of Ebonyians and will not hesitate to implement disciplinary measures on business owners who fail to cooperate with health officers on this initiative.
