The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Joseph Amiyuure Atura, has blamed the outbreak of Covid-19 for the assembly’s failure in the last two years to relocate butchers to a newly constructed abattoir at Yorogo, a suburb of Bolgatanga.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2021 composite budget hosted by the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Mr. Amiyuure said but for Corona Virus, plans had been advanced to get the butchers to move to the new site; and the abattoir put to good use.
“Yes, the assembly was set, the security personnel were also set and things would have been successful, but COVID-19 just came to make things standstill.” He noted.
The subject of abattoir in Bolgatanga has been passionate to the hearts of many indigenes, especially lovers of domestic meat.
Residents have over the years been yearning for a new and decent slaughter house to replace the old, near-dilapidated and congested one.
It therefore came as good news when the Municipal Assembly with funding from the World Bank in 2018 constructed the new abattoir valued at GH¢1.2 million.
The people of Bolgatanga were thrilled and filled with hope that this time around the modern facility will ensure the quality of meat served on the market.
But contrary to that expectation, the facility over the last two years has been left unused as butchers who have been asked to relocate to the new site remain adamant.
The Assembly had earlier expressed its intention to relocate the butchers to the new abattoir at Yorogo, but several attempts to move them have proved futile.
The butchers were reported to have raised concerns that conditions at the new site were not favorable for them to cope.
They complained over the distance of the new facility to the market centres and they could not be assured of swift transportation back and forth.
According to them, although they were fully aware of the benefits of the modern structure, the site at Yorogo is too far and will affect their sales as it will be difficult for potential buyers to follow them there.
They were concerned about the low patronage they are likely to grapple with when they eventually move to the new site.
However, the MCE, following the developments has assured the aggrieved butchers of the assembly’s commitment to address some of their concerns.
He said a mini van will be provided by the assembly to help convey carcass from the abattoir to the market centers in Bolgatanga township.
In terms of the nearness of the animals’ market to the abattoir, he said they will work to have the animals’ market brought closer to the abattoir.
Mr. Amiyuure further called on the butchers to cooperate with the assembly as officials will be forced to take actions against anyone who will defy orders to relocate to the new site.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana
