The Enugu State Government has vowed to arrest butchers selling dead animals and uninspected meats at Afor Awkunanaw Gariki Market, Enugu South Council Area of the state.
Dr Philip Ozoagu, Director of Veterinary Department, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, made the vow when he led his team to the market on Friday.
Ozoagu told the market’s chairman, Mr Kojak Egbonnaji, and his executives that the department discovered that some people were selling uninspected and dead animals as meat to the public.
He said meeting the market leaders was, therefore, important to prevent transferring diseases from animals to men through proper inspections.
“We have been here severally, and our major activity is inspection.
“We have made several attempts to stop them from carrying out these nefarious activities of selling unwholesome meat to the public, but they continued.
“Our findings showed that they pay some fees to you, and we are directing you to stop collecting these fees as Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration is more concerned about the health of Enugu residents.
“We are giving you a final chance to stop them from coming to sell in this market.
“We built an abattoir for them to stay, and the purpose of the place is to inspect their meat and those willing to sell wholesome meat can go to the place,” he said.
Ozoagu warned that in any attempt to disobey the simple rules, perpetrators would be arrested.