By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Meat traders in popular mile 3 market, Port Harcourt have lamented the effects of the demolition on them as well as on the cost of meat.
The traders over the weekend told NatureNews how the demolition have brought losses on their market.
Recall that Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike earlier in September explained that the government decided to demolish the Oginiba abattoir, popularly known as “Slaughter Market” because of incessant cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, rape activities within the market.
Wike, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media Kelvin Ebiri, said anyone giving religious or ethnic colouration to the demolition of the slaughter market located at Trans -Amadi Industrial layout in Obio-Akpor council, does not mean well for Rivers State and the country.
Wike stated that besides the demolished slaughter being a haven for criminal elements, its location at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area is now considered inappropriate in terms of the State government’s urban renewal policy.
He stated that it is mischievous for anyone to insinuate that the demolition is targeted at any particular ethnic or religious group.
According to him, there are several other slaughter markets like the ones in Eliozu, Rukpokwu, Ogbogoro that are still functional and have not been converted to haven for crime and criminality.
Governor Wike stated that the State government has already commenced the construction of a modern abattoir, fitted with state of the art equipment in Mgbuosimini, Rumueme of Obio-Akpor council and the new abattoir has the capacity to slaughter 400 cattle as well as 1500 goats and sheep per day.
The governor said the State government will develop the site of the former Oginiba Slaughter market to suit its urban renewal policy.
Speaking on the impact, Murtala Freeman, the Authority of mile 3 market, said: ‘’Before demolition, Slaughter market has been closed down for some months and some people selling have relocated to other slaughters.
‘’People are struggling to meet up with their daily businesses because many of them are living there but now they are homeless and other businesses have also been affected.
‘’Concerning the increase of meat prices, we can see that food items have increased in Nigeria and not only for meat price. Insecurity in the North leading to scarcity of cattle is also affecting price of meat.’’
Also, Mile 3 market Goat meat Association, James Ime told NatureNews that the demolition of the slaughter is presently affecting traders negatively.
Ime said, ‘’Some of the traders have relocated to Oyibo and now distance to buy goat meat is a barrier to us. When it was at Trans-Amadi, we can leave by 6am to buy meat and leave by 8am but now the time has extended, most times we spend all day there.
‘’Transportation is also another reason causing increase in the price of meat.’’
