By Fatima Muraina

In its efforts to ensure that meat consumed by people of the State is of good quality and affordable, the Ondo State Government has directed the Butcher’s to ensure that only certified meats for consumption are supplied to the markets across the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the  state Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola gave the directive at a stakeholders meeting held at the ministry’s Headquarters in Akure.

In a statement issued by the Head, Publicity and Media Relations of the Ministry, Mr. Sola Omoboyewa, Tunde-Daramola said the directive became necessary to strengthen the intake of protein and to promote public health.

She urged managements of abattoirs, both public and private, as well as other slaughtering slabs across the state to comply with the best practices to guarantee  quality meats are supplied.

She called on the Consultants in charge of revenue collection to double their revenue drive towards ensuring that all revenue collected are remitted promptly to the appropriate quarters.

She also solicited the support of members of the cow dealers and butchers on affordable meat, stressing that protein content is good for the development of the  body system.

The Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Adebayo Ehinmowo, said the meeting was necessary to promote public health and to introduce members of the cow business  to the new Permanent Secretary.

Dr Ehinmowo also charged the cow dealers to make sure that every cow they bring is healthy and affordable, saying  that sick animals will be detected by officers working at the various abattoirs and would mark such not fit for consumption.

Reacting, the State Chairman of Butchers Union, Alhaji Sakiru Ayinde, and his counterpart for  Cow Dealer, Alhaji Gonia Garba, promised to cooperate with the state government in terms of quality meat supply to various markets in the State.

They, however, assured on complying with all rules as well as ensuring that their members pay their taxes regularly.