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Olusola Saraki Ultramodern Abattoir along Akerebiata, Sobi road, Ilorin is one of the popular abattoirs in Kwara State.
Following concerns about adherence to standard operating system at abattoirs across the country, HarmonyFM’s Muinat Usman visited the abattoir to observe and ascertain the procedure of slaughtering animals there.
Friday is usually a busy day at the Olusola Saraki Abattoir in Ilorin.
This is mostly because of the demands for weekend parties.
At about quarter to eight when Radio Nigeria Harmony FM visited the market, some young men were seen at the entrance into the market situated along Sobi road, Ilorin, asking people going into the premises what they want to buy.
It was later learned that these men serve as middlemen between the traders and buyers.
They lead buyers to the traders and thereafter get tips for their services.
Customers can however, choose to ignore them and navigate the abattoir by themselves.
Within the premises is a solar powered coldroom used for preservation of unsold meat for the day.
On that day, there were about six cows waiting for examination by the veterinarian before being slaughtered.
At the slaughtering slab was the assistant chairman of the market taskforce, Alhaji Ismail Lam.
Alhaji Ismail explained that taskforce officers ensure compliance to instructions, including sanitation and the veterinarian’s directives.
For water needs, a motorized borehole, well and two overhead tanks for water storage are situated there.
According to sources, activities of the butchers for the day starts from 6 o’clock in the morning till 1 o’clock in the afternoon while cleaning of the slaughtering slab last for about four hours.
On trading activities at the abattoir, the chairman, Apala butchers Association, Alhaji Lam Abdulrasak, said the number of animals slaughtered daily has dropped due to economic reasons.
In years back, slaughtered animals are conveyed from the Abattoir to various markets mostly by the use of motorcycles and tricycles, which exposed them to unhygienic condition.
However, according to Alhaji Abdulrasak, the abattoir now has a cooling van courtesy of the Federal government.
A veterinarian at the abattoir, Dr Kemi Sulaiman said adherence to standard operating system is key to safeguard health of consumers.
Dr Sulaiman advised people to buy meat only from government approved abattoirs.
