By Musa Tanimu Nasidi.
Kogi State Butchers Development Association has suspended sales of beef in Lokoja markets indefinitely.
This resolution was contained a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s meeting in Lokoja on Saturday.
The meeting presided over by Hon. Danasabe Idi commended Governor Yahaya Bello for proactive measures taken to protect residents of the state by suspending sales of beef in Lokoja for 48 hours. They assured the Governor that beef from dead cows will not be sold in their markets.
According to the statement, the association said immediately they heard about the incidence, a committee was setup to investigate whether the dead cows’ beef which was alleged to have found it way into the market was true or not.
“Immediately we got the information of the dead cows within the Lokoja township, we setup a committee which investigated whether any of our member is involved in selling or attempted to sell beef of the death cows to our customers and to also ascertain whether any of our member is involved directly or otherwise in aiding the sell of beef from the dead cows to our innocent customers.
“At the end of our investigation it was revealed that none of the death cow beef found it way into our markets across the state capital and it environs and none of our members was involved or attempted to sell the death cows beef in our markets,” the statement said.
Idi announced further that the association would extend the suspension of sell of beef across the state capital and it environ beginning from Sunday 12, April 2020 until further notice.
“At the expiration of the state government 48 hours ban on sales of beef across the state capital and it environs, our members resolved to suspend the sell of beef with effect from Sunday April 12, 2020 until further notice,” he said.
This, according to him, will enable the leadership to conduct an investigation and reorganize the structures of the union.
Hon Idi who commended Bello for responding to the pressing needs of the people, however appealed to the government to complete the modern slaughters lab in Lokoja.
He assured residents of the union’s determination to ensure safety, especially with regard to healthy beef in the market.
Idi further stated that none of the dead cows’ meat got into the market across the state capital and it environs and called on customers to remain calm.
The meeting which was held at the headquarters of the union was attended by all the butchers across the state capital and it environs, stakeholders and a host of others.
