October 20, 2024.

 

 

In an effort to enhance hygienic meat processing and handling in Gombe State, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-Press), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, has successfully trained 300 butchers, meat processors and sellers.

 

The capacity building is aimed to elevate health standards in the meat production process and marketing across the state.

During the three-day workshop, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, the L-Press Project Coordinator, stressed the necessity of ensuring that the meat consumed in Gombe state is processed under proper hygienic condition.

 

He highlighted the state government’s commitment and vision of the L-PRES Project to empowering butchers by enhancing their professional skills and best practices which informed the selection of value chain actors in the meat sector across the 11 local government areas of the state to partake in the training.

 

Professor Abubakar cautioned that consuming unhygienic meat can result in various diseases caused by contaminated products.

He further announced plans by the Gombe State Government to establish an International Livestock Market and an Ultra- Modern Abattoir to promote safe meat processing and handling practices.

 

Alhaji Sulaiman Umar Chansa, the newly elected Chairman of the Gombe State Butchers Association, expressed his appreciation for the initiative. He urged his members to take the training seriously, recognizing its value towards enhancing the livestock industry.

 

Chansa also commended Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for his vision in modernizing existing abattoirs and livestock markets across the state.

Professor M.K. Lawan from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, delivered papers on best practices for hygienic meat processing and professional butchery techniques.

 

A cross section of participants expressed gratitude to the state government and the L-PRES Project for the training.

 

Mallam Musa Sama’ila from Akko Local Government Area, Ibrahim Haruna from Gombe, and Maryam Abdullahi from Filiya town in Shongom Local Government Area described the training as a valuable opportunity to appreciate modern approach in meat processing, handling and marketing and pleaded with the L-PRES Project to initiate more trainings programs to accommodate more participants in the future.

 

At the end of the workshop, participants received safety kits, which included rain boots, long jackets, gloves, and helmets.