Lagos Government Reopens Oko-Oba Abattoir After Sanitation Compliance
Abattoir reopened after operators met hygiene standards; monthly inspections to begin, says Environment Commissioner
The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate reopening of the Oko-Oba abattoir following improvements in sanitation and hygiene standards by its operators.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. He confirmed that the abattoir had met the minimum environmental requirements set by the state, which were previously ignored, prompting its closure.
“The operators have substantially complied with the minimum benchmark for the operations of abattoirs in the state, which was flagrantly flouted initially,” Wahab stated.
Before the closure, Wahab had publicly expressed concern over the poor state of the facility. During an inspection, he criticized the discharge of animal waste into public drainage systems and revealed that people were found sleeping in the market alongside livestock, which he described as unsafe and unhygienic.
As part of new operational conditions, the Environment Ministry will now conduct monthly inspections to ensure continued compliance. Wahab also warned operators to avoid unsanitary practices and improper waste disposal going forward.
“We urge the operators to avoid unsanitary activities, waste mismanagement, and unhygienic handling of animal products as they conduct their businesses,” the commissioner said.
The reopening is expected to ease meat supply disruptions in the state while reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health and environmental safety.
