Old, crumbling Jos Abattoir kicking up a stink

A visit to the abattoir in the early morning of Tuesday, August 18, revealed the importance of the slaughterhouse to the town as meat, in large quantity, was being dispatched to different parts of the metropolis. Approaching the main entrance of the dilapidated structure, a visitor needs not to be told that this is an […]

A visit to the abattoir in the early morning of Tuesday, August 18, revealed the importance of the slaughterhouse to the town as meat, in large quantity, was being dispatched to different parts of the metropolis.

Approaching the main entrance of the dilapidated structure, a visitor needs not to be told that this is an age-old site that has provided more than its own quota to the Tin City over the years.

As one proceeds into the premises, a strong smell emanating from animal waste hits with a powerful blow.  Apart from the deplorable condition of the place, the abattoir lacks water and electricity. It is under these challenging conditions, inside the main building, the butchers always busy themselves to meet up.

Some of the butchers slaughter cows and goats. Others by the side are busy gutting animals before separating intestines from the other parts of the body. After that, the butchers then arrange the meat in sacks before they are transported to the markets.   

The Chairman of the Plateau Butchers Association, Alhaji Usman Aliyu told Weekly Trust that the Jos Abattoir was established in 1975 and commissioned by the then Governor of  Plateau State, Group Captain Dan Suleiman. “I started the business since then. In fact, the abattoir was built in my presence. Before then, we were doing this business in a crude way somewhere inside town before we were taken to Bauchi to undergo training on butchering. When we came back, we started doing it in this modern way.”   

He said the number of animals slaughtered every day depends on the demand and the availability of electricity. He added that they source their animals from Bauchi, Gombe and Borno states and even as far as the Republic of Chad.  

Aliyu said they slaughter sheep, goats, cows and even pigs. “But pigs are less-consumed, so we slaughter them only on Saturdays.”  He appealed to the Plateau State government to improve the condition of the place because of its importance to the people, historically and economically.

Another Butcher who simply identified himself as Yusuf told Weekly Trust that “the business is lucrative but the only problem is lack of infrastructure.”   

A health worker, Miss Gift Ingyu, said when animal waste is left in an environment for long without evacuation, it pollutes the environment and encourages rodents. “It is unsafe to humans, as it also causes infections like Lassa Fever, Anthrax and others.” The Special Adviser to Governor Jonah Jang on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Dan Manjang, said the government is considering many options on how to provide a lasting solution to the abattoir.

But besides butchers, consumers complain about the sanitary condition of the abattoir. One Miss Jennifer, a customer, said: “It is quite sad and dangerous that an environment where animals are slaughtered for consumption will be as dirty as this. I normally prefer to go to Terminus Market because of the stench here.” The flies buzzing everywhere at the abattoir seem to be the only satisfied parties there.