News
Abattoir relocation: Oyo govt. allays butchers’ fear
OYO State Government at the weekend allayed the fears of butchers in Ibadan land on the relocation directive to the central abattoir at Amosun Village, assuring that adequate security and transportation systems are in place for the sustenance of peace in the state as well as facilitate the ease of doing business.
Mr. Yinka Fatoki , the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of Investment Promotions and Public Private Partnership, disclosed that the decision to relocate to the central abattoir at Amosun village, Akinyele Local Government Area was reached after a series of consultative 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.
Fatoki explained further that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had earlier addressed various issues that were raised before the signing of the MoU, saying that the petition written by a few members of the union on insecurity was uncalled for as the government has reassured of adequate security and the MoU signed also addressed security issue.
He said that the state government was surprised by the actions of a few disgruntled and recalcitrant members of the butchers union’s resistance to government directives to relocate to the central abattoir after the series of meetings with the governor, stressing that the government will not be deterred with the fabricated security challenges to reverse its decision.
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The Executive Secretary pointed out that peace, security and safety is the foundation of the present administration in the state and the interest of the general public supercedes that of a few members of the union, saying that the decision to move all abattoirs in Ibadan to the central abattoir was hinged on sanitary and health importance of the people of Oyo state.
Fatoki disclosed that 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, stressing, “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 fun fare 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 centralize 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,” Fatoki explained.
While allaying the fears of the few butchers over insecurity, Fatoki stressed that government will not renege on its promise of sustenance of peace in the state and that adequate security has been put in place at the central abattoir, Amosun Village, warning that government will not treat any individual who is bent of destroying the restored peace in the state with kid gloves.
He said that the facility is expected to create over 1000 jobs, open up the corridors of Amosun village for development and ensure hygienic meat for people’s consumption, noting that this is contrary to the speculation that some butchers would lose their means of livelihood.
Fatoki also affirmed that the state government has pledged to offer microcredit loans to butchers and assist in acquiring meat vans.
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has made headlines by announcing a further reduction in the price of diesel, dropping it from ₦1200 to ₦1000 naira per litre.
The refinery’s decision comes on the heels of its recent supply at a significantly reduced price of ₦1200 per litre, which was introduced three weeks ago, signifying a remarkable 30 per cent decrease from the previous market price of approximately ₦1600 per litre.
This substantial reduction in diesel prices at Dangote Petroleum Refinery is expected to reiterate positively throughout various sectors of the economy, potentially serving as a catalyst in alleviating the persistently high inflation rate in the country.
In a statement last week, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and the owner of the refinery, expressed his optimism regarding the potential impact of the price reduction on inflation in Nigeria.
“I believe that we are on the right track. I believe Nigerians have been patient, and I also believe that a lot of goodies will now come through. There’s quite a lot of improvement because if you look at it, one of the major issues that we’ve had was the naira devaluation that has gone very aggressively up to about ₦1900,” he remarked.
As anticipation builds around the implications of this move by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, stakeholders and consumers alike remain hopeful for the positive effects it could bring to the Nigerian economy in the coming months.
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