Meat Vans: FG promises to replicate Lagos model in other states

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ( FMARD) has said it will replicate the standard meats distribution model of  Lagos state in other states of the federation using a policy draft.

This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to the media yesterday by the FMARD.

The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Maimuna Abdullah Habbib speaking in the press release during a study tour visit to Lagos state said the FMARD would initiate a policy draft that will enforce the use of modern meats distribution across the states using air cooling vehicles from abattoirs and other slaughter houses to the market places.

The Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya in the statement said that "prior to the launching of Eko meat van project in year 2004, meat haulage business in Lagos State was rather dis-organised, haphazard and unregulated as wooden carts were used to transport meat and carcasses from abattoirs"

The statement that" In 2009, the Ministry launched the Eko Refrigerated Meatvan Project which was an advancement of the air-cool Eko Meatvans into refrigerated form and a total of fourteen private investors’ companies along with the State Butchers Association’s and Lagoon Butchers Ventures were successfully –screened and licensed to operate the project under a jointly-registered cooperative umbrella (Agege Meat van Multipurpose Cooperative society)"

The Chairman Lagos State butchers Association Mr. Alabi Bamidele Kazeem also in the statement said that " butchers have been supportive to the state government and will continue to give its maximum cooperation"