Chima Azubuike
Veterinary doctors under the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association have raised concerns over the poor sanitary condition of the Lafia Modern Abattoir in Nasarawa State, calling for urgent government intervention.
The association’s President, Dr Moses Arokoyo, raised the alarm on Tuesday in Lafia after an inspection of the facility as part of activities marking the 2026 World Veterinary Day.
He described the abattoir as a sensitive facility where animals are slaughtered daily, warning that its unhygienic state poses serious public health risks.
Arokoyo urged the state government to strengthen monitoring of abattoir operations to ensure compliance with sanitation standards and called for the reconstruction of the facility with adequate water supply and proper sanitation infrastructure.
He warned that failure to act could expose residents to infectious diseases.
“You cannot have an abattoir without water. It is a risk, not just to all of us. This is not a place where animals should be slaughtered. This is a public health risk,” Arokoyo said.
He warned that in the event of an anthrax outbreak, the consequences could be severe due to poor flooring and contamination risks.
“The spores of anthrax will be buried inside the ground I have seen here because the flooring is not there, and blood has stayed here over the years,” Arokoyo added.
He further cautioned that consumption of meat processed under such conditions could expose residents to health complications.
Arokoyo also decried the shortage of veterinary personnel in the state, noting that Nasarawa has only six veterinarians covering 13 local government areas.
“How does the veterinary doctor measure up to that? This is a national emergency situation,” he said.
Also speaking, the NVMA Chairman in the state, Dr Mukhtar Sabuwa, said the abattoir, built about 14 years ago, lacked essential infrastructure such as proper flooring, drainage and a slaughter slab.
“Over time, there has not been adequate maintenance or renovation. There is a need for proper readjustment and, if possible, demolition. But if not, it should be upgraded for public safety,” he said.
The Secretary of the abattoir, Mohammed Gambela, attributed the challenges to inadequate water supply, calling for additional boreholes and a reservoir.
“We need more water because of the volume of operations here,” he said.
Gambela appealed to the state government to visit the facility and address the challenges.
Meanwhile, at a lecture held at the Federal University of Lafia to mark the event, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Akawu Anzaku, emphasised the role of veterinary professionals in safeguarding animal, human and environmental health.
Also, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Muhammed Danlamin Salihu, called for stronger collaboration among medical, veterinary and environmental experts, noting that public health is interconnected.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
