Butchers operating in the Kubwa abattoir within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have returned to traditional practices, utilizing condemned tyres to remove hair from animals. This shift comes as a modern roasting facility, constructed for their use, has been repurposed into a resting area.
Despite the significant health risks tied to consuming meat roasted using used tyres, butchers continue with this approach.
Research indicates that tyres contain toxic substances, such as carbon black (45.49%), zinc oxide (40%), wax (0.23%), and sulphur (1.17%), which pose threats to both human health and the environment.
The Kubwa abattoir falls under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which maintains an office at the site staffed with veterinary doctors and revenue personnel.
During a recent visit by our reporter, some butchers mentioned the abandonment of the modern roasting facility was due to the lack of essential operational components that have not been supplied since its installation post-COVID-19 lockdown.
Hassan Sulaiman, one of the butchers, expressed concerns that the heating system in the facility is inoperative because critical components had not been delivered.
He noted that gas cylinders promised by the authorities have yet to arrive, along with the anticipated supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) intended to facilitate the usage of the new facility.
Abubakar Galadima, the chairman of the butchers at the Kubwa abattoir, stated that the facility was initiated by a former director of the Agriculture Secretariat who aimed to implement innovative practices across FCT abattoirs. This initiative followed an increase in the charges incurred by butchers for each head of cattle.
“Regrettably, the director retired before the remaining necessary components for the operation of the modern roasting pit could be installed,” Galadima disclosed.
He further explained that the required industrial gas cylinders are exceedingly costly, placing them out of reach for most butchers.
Sulaiman also highlighted the health risks associated with their current methods, emphasizing that the thick smoke produced from burning tyres poses serious threats to their well-being.
“In the course of our work, we resort to taking certain medications to mitigate hazards from smoke inhalation. Additionally, the heat generated from the fire adversely affects our health,” he remarked.
Further investigations by Abuja Metro affirmed that, although there is consistent revenue generated daily from slaughtered cattle, the main facility of the abattoir has not seen any renovations for over five years.
He lamented how this stands in stark contrast to previous years when the secretariat undertook annual renovations to uphold hygiene standards.
Meanwhile, Luka Danlami, a cleaner at the abattoir, revealed that he, along with two others, works to maintain cleanliness at the facility, which includes ensuring the proper management of liquid waste into soak-away pits and clearing animal dung from the site.
Attempts to obtain comments from Malam Zakari Aliyu, the Director of Information at the Agriculture Secretariat of FCTA, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or text messages sent to his contact.
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