SUNYANI ABATTOIR A HEALTH THREAT TO RESIDENTS

By Michael Sarpong Mfum, Sunyani

The Sunyani Abattoir, which is currently operating under unhygienic and sub-standard conditions due to the lack of many amenities needed for good sanitary service is posing health threat to residents who buy meat from the facility.

The abattoir has not seen any major rehabilitation leaving the nets at the facility torn giving a free day to houseflies and vultures. The stench that emanates from the facility is unbearable to the residents especially those who stay close to abattoir.

The situation is so deplorable that many residents have expressed the fear that the municipality might soon be engulfed in an epidemic.

The abattoir also lacks separate standard confinement required for roosting cows, goats and sheep before finally prepared for sale to the public. The roosting is therefore carried out in the open and on pieces of wood. The situation is so appalling, with flies and scavengers hovering around for pieces of meat.

Moro Salia a butcher who works at the Abattoir concedes the facility is in a bad shape and the sanitation situation is bad. Mr. Salia however says complaints have been lodged with the Municipal Assembly for intervention but help is yet to come. Moro said if the Assembly provides resources to renovate the Abattoir the situation will improve drastically.

The Municipal Environmental Officer, Simon Opoku revealed that the assembly is aware of the situation but assures that there will be massive improvement in the coming weeks.

Mr. Opoku says calls for relocation to a new structure being put up to serve as a new Abattoir is appropriate but says expansion works are expected to take place on the facility before butchers are moved there.