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Butchers and related stakeholders have continued to express anger over the Oyo state government’s decision to relocate the abattoirs in Ibadan markets to the new central abattoir in Amosun village, Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
Hundreds of butchers from the 11 local government areas on Tuesday stormed the state secretariat to protest against the decision as well as the demolition of the structures at Bodija market. They also alleged intimidation and harassment of other butchers in other markets in the city.
Displaying placrads with inscriptions like “Eyin ara ilu e gba wa o”, “APC, butchers vote you to power, don’t let us vote your party out”, “APC ni apapo e gba wa o”.
The Bodija abattoir was demolished in the early hours of Sunday and the activities of butchers in other markets including Gbagi, Adegbayi and Babarere were reportedly stopped.
Mr. Tunji Jigan who spoke on behalf of the protesting butchers said that the case was already in court and government should allow the court give verdict before forcing them to relocate.
Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo while addressing the protesters, however, assured them that the case would be presented to the Governor and subsequent meeting with butcher’s representatives would be initiated for amicable resolution.
Meanwhile, the police in the state later in the day warned the butchers against violent protests, vowing to “deal ruthlessly with anyone or association whose activities in whatever guise are capable of causing breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.”
A statement issued by SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, Polixe PRO in the state, reads: “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to advise a group of butchers in Ibadan which embarked on a protest this morning following a recent government relocation order, that while it recognises the group’s fundamental right to protest, such protest should be carried out within the ambit of the law.
“The Police will not watch individuals, groups, or associations disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in the state. Therefore, it will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anyone or association whose activities in whatever guise are capable of causing breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.”
Even though the butchers said they were against the relocation order because of insecurity and transportation challenges, the state government said there was no going back on the order assuring tha adequate security and transportation systems were in place to sustain peace and facilitate the ease of doing business.
According to the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of Investment Promotions and Public Private Partnership, Yinka Fatoki, the decision to relocate to the central abattoir at Amosun village, was reached after a series of meetings and deliberations which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and the National Butchers Union of Nigeria (NUBN), the umbrella body of the butchers.
He explained that the decision to move all abattoirs in Ibadan to the central abattoir was hinged on sanitary and health welfare of the people.
In a statement issued last week, he said: “The State Ministry of Agriculture had unlicensed all slabs or abattoirs in Ibadan for about two years (since 2014) on account of unsanitary circumstances of the major slaughter slabs at Bodija, Aleshinloye and Gege area among others,” he said.
“It was on this premise that the state government met several times with the butchers and the chairmen of the 11 Local Government Areas in Ibadanland to discuss the relocation to central abattoir and address issues raised.
“After the discussions, all parties agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that butchers in 11 LGAs of Ibadan should relocate to the central abattoir on the 4th of June 2018. On Monday, June 4, majority of the butchers moved amid fanrare and during the prayer session to commemorate the commencement of operations at the central abattoir, butchers represented by the South-west Coordinator of NUBN lauded the state government for the relocation, describing it as a welcome development and that the facility is the best both in Nigeria and Africa. It is now surprising that a few members of the union are proving recalcitrant.
“The present administration, being a responsible and responsive one, owes it a duty to protect its citizens against infection and diseases that can arise from unhygienic handling of meat. Hence, the steps to centralise abattoir operations by relocating them to the central abattoir with state of the art facilities that would be coordinated by professional veterinary officers to ensure that hygienic meat is produced for people’s consumption”