- Lagos Warns Abattoir Operators: No Compliance, No Reopening
- Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that the government prioritizes public health
- Wahab asserted that the Lagos State Government would not permit a breakdown of law and order
The Lagos State Government has announced that the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege will stay closed until its operators adhere strictly to environmental regulations and enhance hygiene practices.
Eko Hot Blog reports that during a live TV interview on Sunday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that the government prioritizes public health and environmental safety over business interests and will not make concessions in that regard.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Nigeria Ranked 7th Globally For Friendliness To Strangers
- ‘She Won’t Be Stopped’ – AFN Reacts To Favour Ofili’s ‘Switch’ To Turkey
- Club World Cup 2025: Four Clubs Reach Round Of 16, Seven Teams Out
“The abattoir will remain closed until the operators are ready to engage with the government and adhere to minimum operating standards,” Wahab said.
The market which was shut down last Thursday following reports of improper waste disposal, unsanitary conditions, and unsafe meat handling.
The commissioner noted that these infractions had already impacted surrounding properties and sparked ongoing complaints from nearby residents.
He recalled that, despite previous efforts by the government , including sending abattoir stakeholders abroad to study modern slaughter practices the operators largely failed to cooperate.
Wahab added that the recent closure was prompted by a formal complaint from the Commissioner for Agriculture, who urged immediate action in light of serious environmental damage.
“Instead of using animal pens as intended, they have turned them into living quarters,” Wahab said, adding that enforcement officers were deployed after reports emerged that some operators had relocated slaughter activities to an abandoned gas station and roadside locations.
Wahab asserted that the Lagos State Government would not permit a breakdown of law and order. “This is not a Hobbesian state. Where regulations exist, citizens must abide by them,” he said.
He explained that the abattoir falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, with routine inspections carried out by agencies including LASEPA, LAWMA, and LASWAMO.
Wahab criticized the concessionaire, Harmony, and the operators’ leader, Galadima, for failing to prevent the discharge of untreated animal waste into public drainage channels.
Despite the presence of modern slaughtering infrastructure at the facility, Wahab noted that only about 10 percent of it is utilized, with operators favoring outdated and less sanitary manual methods.
Speaking on wider environmental concerns in the state, the commissioner pointed to challenges caused by climate change, such as rising sea levels and flash floods in reclaimed low-lying areas. He mentioned that the state has cleared approximately 1,141 illegal structures to enhance drainage and reestablish public access routes.
Wahab also warned developers against constructing buildings on wetlands in areas such as Iketu, Agbowa, and Magodo, stressing that such violations would be met with firm action.
He added that over the past two years, more than 666,000 primary drainage paths and 397 secondary channels have been cleared to address flooding risks.
“Let us take ownership of our environment,” he urged residents. “Nature will always challenge us, but we must do our part while the government continues to prioritise environmental safety.”
Wahab also urged residents to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts by planting trees and protecting green areas. He highlighted that the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) had already planted more than 20,000 trees so far this year.
FURTHER READING
- Jandor Reveals Why PDP Failed In 2023, Says Atiku Not To Blame
- Tinubu Celebrates Dr. Awele Elumelu at 55
Click here to watch video of the week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
