Abia Govt to Build Biogas Plant in State Abattoirs – ASEPA GM

The Abia State Government has announced plans to build a biogas plant around abattoirs in the State to eliminate the hazardous practice of processing meat with tyres flames.

This is coming as the government has announced the reopening of the Abattoirs in Lokpanta and Uzuakoli which were shut down due to dirty conditions after undergoing renovations.

The General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Mr Ogbonnia Okereke, disclosed this at a press briefing following the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Mr. Okereke noted that meat sellers over time has resorted to the use of tyre flames to process hides (popularly known as kanda or kpomo), due to high cost of firewood, adding such meat has proven to be harmful when consumed.

According to him, the biogas, derived from animal waste is safer and eco-friendly, adding that the initiative speaks to the importance Abia government attaches to health of her citizens and residents alike.

“Right now, meat is burnt in our abattoirs in the South East, supposedly with firewood. But because of the high cost of firewood, people that process meat in these abattoirs use tires to burn the meat.

“That has proven to be harmful to human beings. So we are pioneering with Lokpanta abattoir to develop biogas from animal waste there and use it to burn the meat.

This is a novel approach. It is actually a complete paradigm shift, culture shift that when we are able to achieve it soon, it portends healthier times for Abians and Abia residents.”