In a decisive move to combat the sale and consumption of unhealthy meat, key stakeholders in Irepo Local Government Kisi, met on Wednesday October 16th, 2024, to address the growing concerns over the slaughtering, selling, and consumption of diseased animals and dead cows. The high-level meeting, held at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Dr. Masood Oyekola Aweda Lawal (Arowoduye II), the Iba of Kisiland, was convened by the Chairman of Irepo Local Government, Hon. Alh. Taoheed Tunde Olayiwola.
The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including local government officials, traditional rulers, health officers, security agencies, and community leaders. Their objective was to put an end to the dangerous practice of selling diseased or infected meat in the local markets, which poses serious risks to public health.
Several key resolutions were adopted at the meeting to ensure food safety and protect the health of the community. It was resolved that no individual or butcher should slaughter any sick or disease-infected animals or sell dead cows in Kisi and its environs. Additionally, all meat sales are to end by 7:00 PM each day, giving health officers ample time to carry out thorough inspections during business hours.
Health officers in charge of animal inspection will be mandated to perform rigorous checks to ensure that only healthy animals are cleared for slaughter. Furthermore, the local government has been tasked with establishing a modern abattoir equipped with necessary facilities to ensure hygienic meat processing and adherence to safety standards.
To ensure the long-term enforcement of these measures, the Irepo Local Government was urged to pass a bye-law through its legislative council, making the resolutions legally binding and subject to penalties for violators.
The Iba of Kisiland, HRM Oba Masood Oyekola Lawal, ratified the resolutions and warned that anyone found breaking the law would face severe sanctions. The monarch emphasized the importance of protecting the health and well-being of the community, stressing that all stakeholders must work together to enforce these new measures.
The meeting also featured professional input from health experts, including the Environmental Health Officer and the Veterinary Officer, who educated attendees on the dangers of consuming contaminated meat. Security agencies, represented by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Department of State Services (DSS), pledged their support in enforcing the new regulations.
Local government officials, political leaders, traditional chiefs, and community representatives also lent their voices to the cause, expressing their commitment to eradicating the illegal and dangerous practices associated with the local meat trade.
Speaking after the meeting, Hon. Alh. Taoheed Tunde Olayiwola expressed his gratitude to the traditional council, health officials, and other stakeholders for their cooperation. He assured the community that the local government would work quickly to ensure the modern abattoir is provided and that all measures are strictly enforced to protect public health.
Today’s resolutions mark a significant step in safeguarding the well-being of the people of Kisi and ensuring that meat sold in local markets is healthy and safe for consumption.
