By Stanley Onyekwere
The FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), has revealed plans by the FCT Administration to remodel the Deidei livestock market to standard, befitting the status of Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
ARDS Mandate Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim dropped this hint during an unscheduled visit to the market, to assess the level of compliance of the operators to standards and regulations set by the Administration for the conduct of business there.
Ibrahim, who expressed dissatisfaction over the poor hygienic practices and proliferation of illegal structures at the market, warned that the the Secretariat will not hesitate to take drastic measured against erring operators, whose activities constitutes a risk to residents.
“ What is happening at the Deidei livestock market is indeed very sad. The poor sanitary conditions of the market as well as the springing up of structures without approval is not acceptable to us. I have given the operators an ultimatum to take immediate measures to improve or be forced to close their operations.
“The Secretariat is looking into the possibility of remodelling the market to make it more organised and easy for management by our officials”, he stressed.
The Secretariat however revealed has concluded arrangements to hold an urgent meeting with stakeholders towards finding ways to address all the contentious issues.
The Dei-Dei Livestok market adjudged to be one of the largest in Nigeria was set up in 2001 as a facility for cattle goat and sheep trading, with a Veterinary clinic abattoirs and meat processing structures.
