THE Anambra chapter of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has appealed to Gov. Willie Obiano to construct modern abattoirs across the state.

The state Chairman of the association, Dr Michael Okafor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha on Tuesday that construction of modern abattoir would assist in sanitising meat slaughtering and distribution.

He described the current condition of the over 35 abattoirs in the state as terrible.

Okafor said the conditions had made it mandatory to reorganise the meat business to ensure safety and wholesomeness of meat being consumed.

The chairman commended Obiano for absorbing 23 veterinary doctors into state civil service.

He, however, urged the governor to complement the good gesture with construction of well-equipped veterinary laboratories and clinics in the 21 local government areas of the state.

“The veterinary staff of government and even those practising privately only render tentative diagnostic services as there are no areas for detailed analysis.

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“At the moment, veterinary doctors rely on a diagnosis centre in Asaba and that of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for final and actual diagnosis,” he said.

Okafor said that the absence of a functional laboratory in the state was affecting veterinary practice and members financially.

NAN recalls that Obiano had in February 2017, announced plans to construct six modern abattoirs in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Mr Afam Mbanefo, said only the abattoir at Amansea in Awka North Local Government Area had been constructed.

“The governor made the promise but only one has been constructed at Amansea for Anambra Central Senatorial zone, but butchers are yet to move in because of an adjustment to the structure where cows would be kept before slaughter.

“Work on that will soon commence as well as the construction of other proposed modern abattoirs across the state,” Mbanefo said.

Mbanefo said that the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had constructed boreholes in some abattoirs to ensure environmental hygiene.

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