The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege, citing unsanitary practices, poor waste management, and unhygienic handling of animal products.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, announced the decision following an inspection tour conducted with members of the media. The visit was prompted by a petition from the Ministry of Agriculture highlighting significant environmental and health infractions at the facility.
Wahab expressed shock at the conditions observed, accusing abattoir operators of recklessly dumping animal waste into public drainage systems, specifically into the “Harmony” section of the abattoir and another company, Forth-Walt Farm, on Wasiu Olaife Street.
“This level of environmental degradation and disregard for the law is unacceptable,” Wahab stated. He emphasized the importance of adherence to the state’s environmental regulations, which mandate the proper treatment of wastewater and animal blood generated from meat processing.
The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining cleanliness and protecting public health, warning that similar actions would be taken against any establishment violating environmental laws.
“The State Government will take drastic and firm decisions to correct this attitude and make sure these operators abide by the law,” the commissioner said.
He said, “If nothing is done right now about the present state of the abattoir, it is only a catastrophe waiting to happen”.
The commissioner warned that all abattoir operators must adhere strictly to the minimum benchmark of the state, saying operators can not choose to defy and or choose their laws by blackmailing people as if that is the right way of life.
According to him, the enforcement operation at the abattoir at Oko-Oba will be a joint operation involving the Environment Ministry, Agriculture, LASEPA, LASWMO, and LAWMA.
The Commissioner also visited Adetola Canal by Johathan Coker street in Iju, where some bad elements had vandalising the iron rod that serves as reinforcement to the Canal.
He said, “We have compelled the CDAs of this community to take ownership and protect the infrastructure because the government cannot provide and also police the infrastructure. This situation tells you how bad the intentions of some persons are”.
The commissioner also advised residents to always pay for the services provided by PSP waste operators and desist from patronizing the cart pushers and illegal waste disposal means.