The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) officially opened its advanced abattoir and meat production facility in Giri, within the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.
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| Madam Massanje Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture(ECOWAS) |
During the event, Madam Massanje Toure-Litse, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at ECOWAS, highlighted that this initiative would be replicated in other ECOWAS member nations. She emphasized ECOWAS's commitment to collaborating with NANTS to enhance regional livestock trade, thereby contributing to the economic development of West Africa.
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| Dr. Ken Ukaoha Esq.(NANTS President) |
According to Emmynet24 Dr. Ken Ukaoha, the President of NANTS, explained that the project aimed to promote best practices in meat handling, processing, preservation, packaging, and logistics. He noted that the traditional methods of meat slaughter and processing faced challenges due to the substantial capital required for modern facilities. NANTS, with support from ECOWAS-RAAF and the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), stepped in to establish this modern abattoir, ensuring the hygienic processing of meat for public consumption, safeguarding human health.
Ukaoha stressed that the project's integrated approach also included humane animal slaughter, efficient waste management, and capacity-building for public abattoir butchers. Additionally, he anticipated that the initiative would generate around 500 jobs and stimulate economic activities in the FCT. Furthermore, it would serve as a training center for butchers in international best practices, with several state governments expressing interest in similar NANTS-facilitated projects.
Alhaji Abu Giri, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, praised NANTS for this project, envisioning it as a valuable resource for the University of Abuja and neighboring higher institutions. The council expressed its commitment to supporting NANTS in projects promoting local trade and economic development.
Alhaji Musa Wakili, the Aguma of Giri, believed that the project would empower local youth and encouraged other associations to follow NANTS' example in initiating similar economic development projects.
In a previous capacity-building program held on June 16, NANTS trained 40 prospective workers at the facility in modern abattoir practices, standards, and meat health safety regulations, emphasizing the importance of best practices in meat hygiene, handling, processing, preservation, packaging, and logistics.
