UPDATED: Kwara govt seals market over sale of contaminated meat
By Mosunmola Ayobami,Ilorin
The Kwara State Ministry of Environment has sealed the abattoir in Mandate Market over sale of contaminated meat.
The State government said it would used the period to fumigate and carryout general cleaning of the facility.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the steps were part of the efforts to protect members of the public from consuming the contaminated meat.
According to him, the abattoir will be reopened on Wednesday.
WesternPost had reported that on Sunday the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam and Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Toyosi Adebayo-Thomas, led officials and experts to the Mandate Market in Ilorin to activate measures to protect the public amid rumours of poisoned cow meat.
On the team were the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo; Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam; officials from the Ministry of Environment, including the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency Mrs Folorunsho Idayat, and officials from the Ministry of Health including the Permanent Secretary Alhaja Afusat Ibrahim, and the Director of Public Health Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, among others.
A statement issued by the state government said “The government has immediately confiscated all the suspected meats for laboratory tests and confirmation of claims after initial engagements with the Mandate Market stakeholders.
“Further information will be given as may become necessary.
“The government urges members of the public to be calm while the team establishes the truth of the rumour of poisoned meat. It also commends leadership of the market for their cooperation so far”.
