By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has begun moves to upgrade the Dei-Dei Livestock International Market to meet the best standards.
During an unscheduled visit to the market, the Mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim called on the relevant operators to improve on their activities, or face the wrath of the ARDS.
He said revamping the market would give it a standard befitting the status of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The secretary asked the operators to improve on their hygiene practices within the market.
Ibrahim who expressed dissatisfaction over the situation he met at the market as it relates to poor hygienic practices and proliferation of illegal structures, warned that the Secretariat will not hesitate to take drastic measures on erring operators whose activities constitutes a risk to residents’ health.
According to him, ‘What is happening at the Dei-Dei livestock market is indeed very sad . The poor sanitary conditions of the market as well as the springing up of structures without approval is not acceptable to us. I have given the operators an ultimatum to take immediate measures to improve, or be forced to close their operations.
“The Secretariat is looking into the possibility of remodelling the market to make it more organised and easy for management by our officals”
He revealed that the secretariat has concluded arrangements to hold an urgent meeting with stakeholders towards finding ways to address all the contentious issues.
The Dei-Dei livestock market which is one of the largest in country was set up in 2001 as a facility for cattle, goat and sheep trading as well as a Veterinary clinic abattoirs and meat processing structures.
