CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Residents of Lagos are risking serious health hazards daily as a result of meat sold in unhygienic conditions, displayed on open wooden slabs beside refuse dumps and gutters, in markets across Mushin, Oshodi, Mile 12 and Surulere.
An investigation by our correspondent across major markets in Lagos showed that more than 10,000 cows are slaughtered daily in Lagos, but most of the meat is handled without basic hygiene standards.
At Oyingbo Market, Alayabiagba Market in Ajegunle, Mushin Market and Surulere Market, meat sellers were seen cutting beef on dirty wooden tables that have not been washed for days, with flies perching on the meat, while refuse and stagnant water surrounded the stalls.
The meat is usually transported from abattoirs like Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege and Olorunisola Abattoir in Mushin, in open vans and wheelbarrows without refrigeration, exposing it to dust and exhaust fumes.
Health experts have warned that such practices expose consumers to foodborne illnesses such as cholera, typhoid fever, E. coli infection and tapeworm infestation.
A public health expert, Dr Emmanuel Okonkwo, said eating meat contaminated with faecal matter and flies can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting and long-term kidney damage.
“When meat is displayed in the open with flies, the flies deposit bacteria from refuse and faeces on the meat. If the meat is not properly washed and cooked at high temperature, the bacteria enter the body. Many cases of typhoid in Lagos are from contaminated meat,” he said.
Traders, however, said they are aware of the risks but lack modern facilities.
A meat seller at Surulere Market, Alhaji Suleiman Bello, said they pay for stalls but the market has no cold rooms or clean water supply.
“We slaughter at 4am and bring the meat to the market. There is no light for cold room. We use table and we try to cover with net, but flies still come. Government should build modern meat market with tiles and cold room like in South Africa,” he said.
Buyers who spoke with our correspondent said they have no choice but to buy from the same markets because they are affordable.
Mrs. Folake Adebayo, a resident of Surulere, said she washes her meat with salt and hot water before cooking, but is worried about her health.
“I buy beef every day because my family loves it, but I see flies and dirt. I wash well and cook well. But government should help us. We need clean markets,” she said.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture have advised butchers to maintain hygiene, use clean water, cover meat with nets and obtain veterinary inspection certificates.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, said the state government is building modern abattoirs and cold-chain meat vans to transport meat hygienically.
Residents have called on the Lagos State Government to enforce hygiene standards in all meat markets, provide running water, waste bins and enforce daily inspection by health officers.
They also urged the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, to monitor meat handling and sanction erring traders.
As at press time, the state government said it will intensify monitoring of meat markets across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
Note: Photo used is file photo to illustrate unhygienic market conditions observed during investigation. Traders mentioned responded to our inquiry.