By Ikenna Uwadileke
The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), has concluded arrangements to inaugurate its modern small scale abattoir in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The National President of NANTS, Dr Ken Ukaoha said this on Friday at a capacity building programme on Integrated Modern Abattoir Practices, Standards and Meat Health Safety Regulations organised by the association.
Ukaoha said that the two-day training for 40 prospective workers at the facility was to ensure best practices on meat hygiene, handling, processing, preservation, package and logistics.
According to him, the need to modernise the traditional method of meat slaughtering and processing by subjecting the entire process under hygienic conditions had hitherto remained a mirage.
This he said was due to the huge capital investment involved in building modern facilities.
Ukaoha said that the challenge necessitated the intervention by NANTS with the support of ECOWAS-RAAF and the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), to establish a modern abattoir.
“This will address the issues relating to animal slaughtering and ensure the sale of healthy meat to the public under very hygienic processing conditions that assures human health safety,’’ he said.
He further said that the project was implemented with an integrated concept aimed at promoting humane slaughter of animals, profitable waste conversion mechanism and capacity building engagements with public abattoir butchers.
While highlighting the economic importance of the abattoir in FCT, Ukaoha said that the project would create about 500 jobs.
He said that the abattoir would also serve as a training centre to butchers on international best practices.
Ukaoha said that some state governments had indicated interest on similar project that would be facilitated by NANTS.
On his part, Dr Reuben Wyah, the Director of Agriculture and National Resources, Gwagwalada Area Council, commended NANTS for the project, saying that it would serve as a consultancy centre for the University of Abuja and other higher institutions.
Wyah expressed the Council’s readiness to continue to support NANTS on projects that would promote trade and economic development of the area
He urged the participants to maximise the opportunity to empower themselves.
Similarly, the Chief of Giri Community, Alhaji Musa Wakili said that the project would go a long way in empowering youths in the community.
Wakili urged other associations to emulate NANTS on such economic developmental project.
Mr Solomon Obike, Head, Agriculture and Livelihoods of NANTS congratulated the trainees on their successful selection to participate in the capacity building event.
Obike urged them to take advantage of the knowledge gained from the training to upgrade their butchering activities while being conscious of meat handling and hygiene and also to explore other business opportunities in abattoir waste conversion to wealth.
Some of the beneficiaries described the training as having impacted them immensely.
Miss Precious Akintade, Agricultural Economics student of University of Abuja, said she could learn how meat is processed and prevented from being contaminated.
“I also learnt how the waste products are turned to bio gas and organic fertilizer,’’ she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Musa Wakili, graduate of Political Science, University of Abuja, said the programme enlightened him about the processes of slaughtering, preservation, packaging and handling of meat.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the abattoir is equipped with modern facilities including a processing unit, 50-cow capacity lirage, 10,000 litres tank bio digester and a roaster unit.
Others are power house, changing rooms, stores, training centre, veterinary office, cold room among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)