By Babaji Usman
Over the course of three separate payments, more than N30 million was allocated for the establishment of a modern abattoir in Misau town, Bauchi State. Investigations by Xchange Hama Media revealed that despite its official commissioning in February 2023, the facility remains unused and is deteriorating.
In 2020, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute in Lagos, allocated ₦5.4 million to Archmism International Ltd for the development of a modern abattoir/slaughtering slab for the community of Misau in the Misau LGA of Bauchi state. This initiative was part of a broader federal effort to deliver zonal intervention projects, spearheaded by federal legislators for their respective constituencies throughout Nigeria.
Further information from Govspend indicated that an additional ₦15.2 million was disbursed to the same company for the continuation of this project a year later. Following this, in 2022, Archmism International Ltd received a subsequent ₦9.8 million, earmarked for the ongoing construction of the abattoir.
Cumulatively, the project received N30.5 million in funding over three years, all under the oversight of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos. The project was advocated for by Ibrahim Makama Misau, the then-representative of the Misau/Dambam federal constituency in the House of Representatives. Despite a temporary halt in progress in the last few years, the project resumed following demands from the local community in 2021.
COMMISSIONED YET UNAVAILABLE
Despite its commissioning in February 2023, Xchange Hama Media found that the modern abattoir is not accessible to those it was meant to serve, leaving its potential unrealized.
In all, N30.5 million was released for the project in three different instalments within three years under the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos, serving as the supervising agency.
The project was nominated by the then member of the House of Representatives representing the Misau/Dambam federal constituency, Ibrahim Makama Misau.
It was however halted in the last couple of years but continued after the outcry from the constituents in 2021.
COMMISSIONED – BUT INACCESSIBLE
Xchange Hama Media discovered that the project was commissioned in February 2023, but is currently inaccessible to the potential beneficiaries.
Ibrahim Makama during the commissioning of the Abattoir
Despite significant financial investment and claims of completion, the local butchers remain unable to utilize the facility. The reasons behind its continued inaccessibility to the community are unclear, with responsibility seemingly lying between the nominating lawmaker and the stakeholders who were supposed to take charge of the structure.
Premises of the Abattoir
Baba Dawari, a butcher in Misau town, lamented that the old abattoir which they are presently using is in its worst stage, hence, exposing both butchers and the members of the communities to health hazards.
He explained that there is a lack of water that exacerbates the challenges being faced in the old abattoir, “but there is no other alternative, we are using it like that.”
The Old Misau Abattoir
The butcher, however, commended the lawmaker for facilitating the construction of the abattoir but wished it would be functional by now.
FAILED PROMISE
Bawari explained that one of the factors that halted the relocation to the newly constructed abattoir was a lack of a power-generating system.
Newly Constructed Misau Abattoir
He said the ex-lawmaker Makama, promised to provide them with the generator, however, the promise was not fulfilled.
Dawari pleaded with the government or any well-meaning patriots to come to the aid of the community to provide the required materials, as according to him, it may soon become a haven for criminals.
“Because we cannot afford to waste such a huge amount of money used in the project without benefiting from it.”
He said the beef they sell to the locals is not safe because of the filthy abattoir they are currently using which could expose them to avoidable diseases.
Beef at Misau Abattoir
The purpose behind the award of the abattoir project was to equip local butchers with enhanced slaughtering and meat processing facilities to ensure meat quality preservation.
Alhaji Lawal Sarkin Fawa, the town’s traditional butchery chairperson, disclosed that Ibrahim Makama, the responsible lawmaker, had provided N1 million in support to the butchers intended for use at the abattoir. According to Hama Media, the decision was made to allocate a portion of this fund towards purchasing a generator essential for powering refrigeration units and water supply systems within the new facility. “He offered us N1 million as startup capital. We decided to allocate a share of this money for a generator, crucial for refrigeration and water supply in the new abattoir,” he stated.
Despite assurances that the generator had been acquired and would soon be operational, several months have passed without it being functional. Alhaji Lawal remained hopeful, announcing, “We plan to inaugurate and begin operations at the new abattoir this week.”
However, weeks after this commitment, the newly constructed abattoir remains unused by the butchers and has started to attract reptiles.
Alhaji Lawal admitted to the deteriorating condition of the current abattoir, emphasizing the challenges posed by inadequate water supply and damage from natural elements. “The well I built there is in very poor condition. Operating an abattoir without water is hardly imaginable. Furthermore, the roof was severely damaged by a thunderstorm, rendering the facility in a dire state.”
He noted that the existing abattoir, constructed over 40 years ago during the tenure of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari (1979-1983), is now too dilapidated for use, highlighting the urgent need for the new facility’s activation.
DISEASES IN MISAU
In 2017, the Bauchi State Government announced that no less than 95 butchers in the state have been infected with Brucellosis an animal-related disease.
It stated that the figure was out of the 224 butchers from three councils including Misau, who developed symptoms and later tested positive in a laboratory screening.
The then Deputy Director of the Veterinary Services, Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Istifanus Irimiya, explained that Brucellosis was contagious and could be transmitted from ruminants to human beings particularly butchers, herdsmen and veterinarians who interact with animals.
“The disease is transmitted through consumption of unboiled milk, meat, raw meat, and blood of the infected animals as well as lack of proper sanitation and hygiene,” Irmiya was quoted saying.
Research carried out in 2020 by students of the Sa’adu Zungur University Gadau, formerly Bauchi State University, discovered a high prevalence of animal disease in Misau and attributed it to poor sanitary conditions.
The research uncovered the presence of fascioliasis, a highly pathogenic disease among animals after slaughtering some samples at the abattoir.
Former Lawmaker Offers Limited Insight on Abattoir Project
Upon inquiry, Ibrahim Makama, the former lawmaker responsible for nominating the abattoir project, distanced himself from its current status, informing Hama Media that his involvement ceased following its completion and subsequent handover to the community. Makama, who transitioned to politics after a career in the police force, served the Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
He noted that the abattoir had been commissioned nearly a year prior and stated, “I have nothing more to contribute. The project was completed and commissioned almost a year ago.” Makama emphasized that the local constituents would be better positioned to address any further inquiries regarding the abattoir.
He declined to elaborate on whether he would assist in acquiring the necessary generators that the local butchers indicated were needed, as per their earlier communications. As the state-of-the-art abattoir project remains underutilized, the intended users bear the consequences, with the broader community continuing to face health risks from the consumption of potentially unsafe meat, thereby endangering public health.
This publication is produced with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
