FCT Woman Leader Commends NANTs National President, others over the Commissioning of Ultra Modern Abbatoir, Meat Factory

Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) woman leader, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs), Amb (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi has commended the National President of the association, Barr Ken Ukaoha, his executives and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others for their efforts in ensuring realisation of NANTs Modern Integrated Abattoir and Meat Factory in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Recall that the project was commissioned by the Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy – Ohanenye, with assistance of the Commissioner, Economic Affairs and Agriculture in Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Madam Massanje Toure – Litse Monday.

Dr (Mrs) Adewumi, who doubles as the President, TAKEM Empowerment Initiatives (TEIs), an International Non Governmental Organisation (INGO) that specialises in employment of the widows and the less privileged, bared her mind to selected journalists shortly after the commissioning of the Abbatoir and the Meat Factory.

She described the project as the first and best of its kind in the nation’s capital.

While calling for prudent management of the facilities, Chief (Mrs) Adewumi however noted that proper management of the Abbatoir and the Meat Factory would give FCT residents and environs the best services expected therefrom.

Hailing ECOWAS and others who assisted in making the NANTs project a reality, Rachael Adewumi however observed with happiness that the era of loosing a lot of money and other resources, as a result of non availability of storage facilities, among others in various meat markets and abbatoirs by butchers and other traders over the time has become a thing of the past, with the emergence of an abbatoir and meat market of that standard in the FCT.

The woman leader further spoke at length on the economic benefits of the project to the traders, the Area Council and the FCT in general, just as she reiterated on its effective management.

The FCT chairman of the association, Prince Edozie Ugwu also hailed the national body for siting such project in his domain. He also noted that a project of that nature would go a long way farther economy.

While ommissioning the project, the Commissioner, Economic Affairs and Agriculture in ECOWAS, Madam Massanje Toure – Litse said the project would be replicated in other member countries of ECOWAS, even as she reiterated ECOWAS readiness to continue to collaborate with NANTs on strengthening regional livestock trade that would add value to economic development among member countries of ECOWAS.

Earlier, the National President of NANTs, Ukuoaha said: “The need to modernize the traditional method of meat – slaughtering and processing by subjecting the entire process under hygienic conditions had hitherto remained a mirage due to the huge capital investment involved in building modern facilities.

“The challenge is what informed the intervention by NANTs with the support of ECOWAS-RAAF and the Swiss Development Cooperation, SDC, to establish a modern abattoir which will address the issues relating to animal -slaughtering and ensure the sale of healthy meat to the public under very hygienic processing conditions that assures human health safety.”

Explaining that the project was implemented by NANTs with an integrated concept, aimed at promoting humane slaughter of animals, profitable waste conversion mechanism and capacity building engagements with public abattoir butchers, Ukaoha therefore disclosed that the project which has led to the creation of about 3,000 jobs also boost economic activities in the FCT

Informing that the Abattoir will serve as training centre to butchers on international best practices, Ukaoha added that some state governments have indicated interest on similar project that would be facilitated by NANTs.

Hailing NANTs for the project and believing that it will serve as training and consultancy centre for University of Abuja and others, the Gwagwalada area council chairman, Alhaji Abu Giri expressed the council’s readiness to to support NANTs on projects that would boost economy in the area.

The Aguma of Giri, Alhaji Musa Wakili in a remark said the project would empower youths in the community, just as he called on other Association to emulate NANTs in its fight to stabilise the economy.