The Rivers State Government has banned slaughterhouse operations on Sundays and directed abattoirs to begin slaughtering from 7am daily, as it steps up enforcement against unsafe meat processing.
The government also warned butchers against using vehicle tyres, plastics and chemicals to process meat, threatening arrest and prosecution for violations of food safety regulations.
The directives were announced by the Director of Veterinary Services in the state Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Godsawill Ukoikpkoko, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mercy Iboroma, at a news briefing at the State Veterinary Hospital in Rumuodomaya, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, on Friday.
Ukoikpkoko said meat inspection officers had been deployed to slaughterhouses across the state to enforce compliance with food safety standards.
He condemned the use of tyres and plastic materials to roast meat intended for human consumption and raised concerns over the processing of animal hides and skin, popularly known as ponmo, with chemicals intended for industrial use in the leather industry.
He said offenders would be prosecuted under the Rivers State Meat Inspection and Sales Law, Cap. 86, No. 2 of 1999.
The government also directed all slaughterhouses to register with the Ministry of Agriculture for validation and required operators to obtain approval and supervision from certified meat inspection officers before slaughtering animals.
Under the new directives, livestock must be transported to slaughterhouses in vehicles rather than driven on foot. Meat handlers must also undergo medical fitness tests every two years, while meat inspection fees must be paid into designated government accounts before slaughter.
Ukoikpkoko said the ministry was implementing further measures to prevent diseased animals and unwholesome livestock products from entering Rivers State.
He said the measures were intended to address unsafe practices in the red meat value chain and strengthen food safety enforcement across the state.
