The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has outlawed the use of scrap tyres to burn animals, citing serious health risks to consumers.

Just as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has committed about $55.5m to the development of Special Agro-Processing Zones SAPZ in the territory.

The administration has stated its intention to enlist the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC’s Agro Rangers Squad to assist in providing security for farmers in the territory against dangers presented by bandits escaping into the region from neighbouring states.

In the wake of the ongoing inflow of other Nigerians into the territory, provision has been made in the 2022 budget for the procurement of 12 tractors for the six Area Councils in the territory to enhance agriculture and maintain food security.

Speaking at the end of the year briefing of the secretariat on Wednesday, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the FCT, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim hinted that, local butchers in the nation’s capital, particularly in its abattoirs often use scrap tyres as a substitute for firewood to singe or de-hair slaughtered ruminants.

He, however, described the development in the abattoirs as an embarrassment.

While pledging that officials would pay greater attention to the abattoirs especially this Yuletide, the Secretary said his team was also partnering with relevant agencies to ensure efficient waste disposal at the abattoirs.

According to him; “The issue of FCT abattoirs has become an embarrassment to the administration and as a sign of my commitment and determination to address this issue, the first two projects I visited were Kugbo and Karu Abattoirs.

“We want to ensure that we do the needful by first ensuring that water is provided in the abattoirs round the clock because when we visited the Kugbo Abattoir, we found out there was a water challenge and which my predecessor did a lot in that regards

“We want to ensure that the wastes are managed well. The first approval I have was on waste evacuation.

“We want to make sure that the issue of the use of tyres to skin animals is stopped. I went there and handed down the warning personally and we are working on a sustainable method for them to use. Efforts have been put in place in that direction.

“Another area we are looking at is animal husbandry and veterinary services so that we can have a proper inspection of the meat.

“It is true that if we are to make progress in Agriculture, we have to go into mechanized farming and we have already given a directive to the Director, Administration and Finance that 12 tractors should be out in the 2022 budget. At least, each of the six Area Councils will have two tractors in 2022.

“I am happy to note that the Boards of the AfDB, IFAD and the ISDB, have all approved the Nigeria SAPZ Project on the 13th, 16th and 18th December 2021, respectively. In the first phase, the ISDB is investing a minimum of Fifty-Five Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand US Dollars ($55.47m) in the FCT SAPZ. We are committed to making this a resounding success and shall provide the needed counterpart contribution to complement this investment”, he added.

Speaking on post-harvest losses, he said the secretariat has continued to sensitize farmers and extension workers on modern storage methods. (Agency report)

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