The government of Lagos State has said that the ban placed on the unauthorized movement of animals, especially live cattle, across the state still subsists, stressing that persons found culpable in this act will be prosecuted.
Oluwatoyin Suarau, the commissioner for agriculture, stated this on Friday, March 9, 2018, while reviewing reports of animal transportation and stray animals.
Suarau noted that the menace of releasing cattle along major roads and highways within the metropolis was unacceptable, adding that the State Government was committed to stopping illegal movement of animals across the state.
He explained that unauthorized movement of animals can lead to the spread of contagious diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments aside from causing road accidents.
Suarau stressed that the Government has handled significantly the transportation of live animals by the introducing the Metro Live Animal Transport, which has been very effective in transporting live animals across the metropolis.
The Commissioner added that the State Government has sent Agric-Marshals to all local government and local council development areas of the State as part of its stray animal control policy and to put an end to the menace releasing cattle along major roads and highways within the metropolis.
He said: “Government has a model which is aimed at ensuring a healthy and hygienic transportation of meat within the metropolis. I, therefore, urge residents to give maximum support to the government in the implementation of these policies.”
Suarau maintained that the commitment of the present administration towards the attainment of a standard animal handling model depends largely on the cooperation of every resident of the state, adding that hygienic environment occupies the front burner of the present administration as a way to facilitate job and wealth creation as well as reduce poverty.
