An abattoir in Enugu

The Commissioner for Environment in Ebonyi, Chief Moses Nome, has ordered the relocation of the Abakaliki Central Abbatoir for being close to the cemeteries.

He gave the order on Monday in Abakaliki during an inspection visit to the area.

The abattoir is surrounded by three cemeteries designated for Christians, Muslims and Pagans.

Nome said that the abattoir’s environment was unhygienic, adding that it was wrong for meat meant for consumption to be in such location.

He said that slaughtering animals around the cemeteries desecrated the graves where peoples’ loved ones were buried.

According to him, activities of these meat dealers expose the public to avoidable health hazards, especially the prevailing Lassa fever and cholera epidemics.

The commissioner recalled that the abattoir operators had been warned several times to relocate from the area but they refused.

“The abattoir has operated in the area since the end of the nation’s civil war but the present administration has provided a more conducive place for them to operate.

“They have, however, refused to relocate to the new place, and I have instructed the Director of Environment in the ministry, Mr Simon Arua, to institute legal action against the abattoir operators,” he said.

He announced that security agencies would be used to eject the meat dealers from the site if they fail to heed the relocation order within one month.