The Nigerian Butchers Association on
Monday asked the Federal Government to allow cattle free access into the
country, to allow for bountiful availability of meat and meat products
in Nigerian markets.
Alhaji Asimiyu Tela, Chairman, Ondo
State Chapter of the association, said this during an interview with the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure.
Tela called on the Federal Government to
collaborate with the association to find new ways for cattle to come
into the country without any hitches, to enable the butchers to be able
to meet the daily needs of their customers.
“If the Federal Government can ensure that cattle are able to come into
the country in abundance, as was being done in the past, that will help
butchers in the country to be able to satisfy the needs of their
customers.
“The cows we have in Nigeria as at now
are not enough to meet the demands of our customers and thereby, there
are not enough of meat and meat products to meet local consumption,’’ he
said.
Tela said that the association adhered
strictly to the prescribed sanitary conditions for the handling of cow
meat, stressing that erring members who violated such rules were usually
sanctioned.
“The executives of our association take
compliance with sanitary rules with all seriousness and members found
culpable were usually handed over to the law enforcement agencies.
“There are also some punitive measures attached to going against the sanitary rules,’’ he said.
According to him, Veterinary Doctors on
daily basis carry out tests on every cow before being slaughtered for
sale and consumption by the public.
Tela assured that members of the
association would contribute their quota to ensure that peaceful
elections were held nationwide, to enable democracy thrive in the
country.
He urged the government to revive all
moribund industries and firms, adding that, “if the youths are
meaningfully engaged, there would be peace and order in the land’’.
Credit: NAN