Governor Olusegun Mimiko has explained that the reason for establishing agro-business cities across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State was to make it the food basket of the nation.
Mimiko, who stated this during the inauguration of the Ondo State ultra-modern semi-mechanised abattoir in Akure, also attributed it to the cocoa rebirth in the state.
Aside from the four agro-business cities in Ore, Auga, Epe and Isuada, he disclosed that his government also disbursed soft loans to farmers with agricultural inputs to ensure food security.
Speaking on the newly completed abattoir, the governor said it was redesigned to meet international standard. “This abattoir is of international standard and one of a kind not only in Ondo state but also in many other states of Nigeria,” he stressed.
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He added: “As at date, an average of about 350 head of cattle are slaughtered and processed for human consumption from about 70 unhygienic local slaughter slabs scattered around the state.
“In our resolve to curb the menace of supply of unwholesome meat processed in unhygienic environments, our administration reviewed the original Abattoir Project to conform with international best practices and awarded the contract in 2011 in four (4) principal lots to very competent contractors.”
Mimiko said the facility will address the hygiene issue associated with the regular slaughter slab, saying the facility was put in place as part of his urban renewal programme.
“This abattoir complex was designed and complete with all necessary ancillary facilities to ensure steady and sustainable provision of wholesome meat to Akure and environs as a first step.
“This is to be replicated in other major towns and villages of the state in due course. This abattoir facility with capacity to process 200 head of cattle in 4 hours will be ceded to a concessionaire under an agreed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure consistent profitability and sustainability.
“The state through the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture will be saddled with the statutory responsibility of quality control and conformity with international best standards in the meat processing and delivery industry.”
The abattoir has slaughter hall, lairage, office complex, public toilet, 500KVA transformer, a 60KVA soundproof generator, a borehole and other state-of-the-art facilities.
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