The federal government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Thursday in Ibadan, donated a meat refrigerating van to butchers in Oyo State.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sunkanmi Olaleye, presented the van to executive committee members of the National Butchers Union of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch.

Mr Olaleye, who commended the federal government for the gesture, said the donation was to prevent an outbreak of diseases by conveying meat with open vans and trucks.

He noted that the meat from open vans could be easily contaminated, causing diseases for whoever consumes such beef.

“The idea of conveying meats in open trucks, taxis, and van is not hygienic and exposes the meat to contamination, causing outbreaks of diseases.

“All over the world, and particularly in more developed countries, there is usually refrigerated vans to convey meat from the abattoir to the market.

“This prevents the meat from being contaminated and enhances hygienic meat for the end users. So, we too have to emulate this act,” Mr Olaleye stated.

The commissioner further said the state government would collaborate with butchers and investors in the relevant sector to procure more vans to ensure they provide hygienic meat to consumers.

Mr Olaleye urged the union to make judicious use of the van, and he went on to implore butchers to support the state government’s policies.

Secretary of the Butchers Union, Lateef Olagoke, promised that the union would properly use the van.

Mr Olagoke pledged on behalf of the union that they would support the government’s policies in curbing outbreaks of diseases which may emanate from meat consumption.

He urged the government to support the union by providing loans to boost their businesses.

(NAN)