The Abia State Government has banned importation of cattle into the state pending the relocation of abattoirs in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Uzo Azubuike, dropped the hint on Thursday during an inspection of the new abattoir being constructed in Ukwa East Local Government Area by the Relocation Committee.

Azubuike directed that members of the butchers association should move into the new abattoir by May 31, 2016.

“There should be no importation of cattle into Abia State again until the relocation of the abattoirs. We don’t want to wait until we have the experience of the people of Enugu and the people of Benue, the people of Plateau and other people have had in the hands of herdsmen,” the commissioner told the butchers.

He promised that the State Government would swing into action to make the site ready before the May 31 deadline, with necessary facilities while other parts of the project would be done in phases.

The commissioner then called on the butchers to start making preparations to relocate as government would ensure strict compliance with the directive.

Also speaking, Dr. John Ahukanna, Commissioner for Health, stressed that his ministry would ensure that the abattoir was built to standard, bearing in mind the safety of the users.

In an interview, the Chairman, Abia State Amalgamated Butchers Association, Mr Emeka Toti, assured that his members would comply with the directive but requested that the necessary facilities be put in place before the deadline.

“Our people would comply with the directive,” Toti said, adding: “We are asking the government to make sure that they fulfil their promise, to make sure they put everything in place.

We need security here, banks, all facilities required in a modern abattoir; that is their promise to us.”

Members of the Relocation Committee are drawn from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment and the butchers association.

•Photo shows Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.