The Enugu State government is cracking down on the sale of dead animals and uninspected meats at Afor Awkunanaw Gariki Market in the Enugu South Council Area.

Philip Ozoagu, the Director of the Veterinary Department at the Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, led a team to the market and warned against these unhealthy practices.

Ozoagu informed the market’s chairman, Kojak Egbonnaji, that some vendors were bypassing health inspections and selling potentially dangerous meats.

He stressed the importance of stopping these activities to protect public health, aligning with Governor Peter Mbah’s focus on the wellbeing of Enugu residents.

Speaking to the market chairman, Ozoagu said:

“Our findings showed that they pay some fees to you, and we are directing you to stop collecting these fees as Governor Peter Mbah’s administration is more concerned about the health of Enugu residents.

“We are giving you a final chance to stop them from coming to sell in this market.

“We built an abattoir for them to stay, and the purpose of the place is to inspect their meat, and those willing to sell wholesome meat can go to the place.”

Joy Onah, officer-in-charge of the veterinary department for Enugu South, described the meats sold by these vendors as “condemned and unhygienic.”

Romanus Ezeh, chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Enugu, highlighted the need to differentiate between legitimate butchers and those selling unapproved meats, many of whom refuse to attend regulatory meetings.

The market chairman responded by committing to stop collecting e-ticket fees from the vendors and requested one month to address the issue internally. He also called for more support from the veterinary department to enforce these standards.