In a move towards revamping the process of selling red meat in the metropolis by ensuring proper hygiene before the product reaches the final consumers, the Lagos State government has unveiled the Butchers’ Academy and Last Mile Meat shops.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, at the launch of the two initiatives in Alausa, Ikeja, noted that the initiative was aimed at giving residents confidence in what they consume while making it presentable with standard facilities to encourage youth participation in the industry.
She pointed out that the two projects are part of the state’s agriculture roadmap initiative to encourage hygienic transportation and presentation of meat, adding that the more presentable the meat business is, it will help correct the erroneous impression that the profession is reserved for the unenlightened.
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According to her, each meat shop will be operated by four youths, each of whom will be allocated a cow slaughtered at Agege Abattoir before they are sent to the ministry to ensure their hygienic conditions.
She explained that the overhaul in the transportation sector led to the introduction of the Eko Meat Van, which ended the era of conveying meat through unwholesome practices, noting that the Last Mile Meat shops are located in the Ijeh area of Dolphin Estate, Surulere, and Mushin.
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Chairman of the Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Emmanuel Olotu, commended the ministry, saying that with the initiative, more hygienic food will be provided for residents, while assuring that the recently launched meat shops will sell in kilograms to ensure uniformity.
The chairman of the Butchers’ Association, Lagos chapter, Kazeem Bakare, while appreciating the government for the initiative, emphasized that the butchers’ association will see to the safe handling of meat henceforth.
