Lagos govt demolishes 500 shanties, illegal structures in Oko-Oba, Lairage

As part of efforts to ensure adequate upgrading and transformation of
the complex for improved operations, the Lagos State government at the
weekend demolished over 500 shanties and illegal structures within and
outside the Oko-Oba abattoir and Lairage Complex in Agege area of
Lagos State.
The State's Commissioner for Agriculture, Oluwatoyin Suarau, disclosed
this while reviewing report of the demolition carried out by officials
of the state Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the
Ministry of Environment, Lagos State Environment and Special Offences
Enforcement Unit, Department of State Security and Operation MESA.
He said that the clean-up exercise included all shanties and illegal
structures inside the abattoir and along Fagba-Railway section of the
abattoir complex.
Suarau explained that the government's motive for carrying out the
clean-up exercise was to improve the hygienic condition of the complex
and ensure best practices in the red meat value chain and not to
witch-hunt anyone.
According to him, "I want us all to see this exercise as a positive
development in the red meat value chain and not as government's
instrument to disrupt activities at the complex.
"Rehabilitation of the facilities at the Oko-oba abattoir is to ensure
that operations at the complex meets international standard."
While reiterating the government's commitment to ensuring best
practices in the red meat value chain, the commissioner stressed that
the clean-up exercise and the completion of various projects within
the complex would be of great benefits to stakeholders in the complex
and to Lagosians, adding that it would ensure wholesomeness in
production, processing and consumption of meat in the red meat value
chain.
He stated that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration had put in
place and implementing planned policies and programmes aimed at
changing the face of abattoirs and slaughter slabs across the state.
Suarau explained that completion of projects at the Oko-Oba abattoir
complex would result in an upgraded abattoir equipped with a standard
clinic to take care of people and other emergencies in the complex.