Lagos, Earthcare Nigeria To Partner On Abbatoir Waste Management

The Lagos State Government is set to partner with Earthcare Nigeria Limited for the proper utilisation and management of Abattoir Waste. 

This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop for the Youth and Slaughterhouse operators held on Wednesday at the Earthcare Nigeria Limited premises, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Gaji, represented by a Director in the Sanitation Department, Mrs. Omoyeni Balogun, said it is a known fact that waste is a major contributor to Environmental degradation that leads to the destruction of the ecosystem.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that with the partnership, the challenge of Animal Waste disposal being faced by slaughterhouses in Lagos State, which contributes to obnoxious odour in the environment, will be effectively handled. 

He maintained that re-purposing animal waste to Agricultural compost will eradicate its negative impact and enhance agricultural productivity, adding that the conversion of Cow dung into fertilizer will enhance the growth of food crops, thereby providing solutions to food insecurity.

Gaji was confident that the initiative would also generate employment for the youths in the communities and provide additional income for families who are engaged in small or large-scale Agriculture, adding that the Agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors with its contribution of about 70% growth to the labour market.

Also speaking, the representative of the Chief Executive Officer, Earthcare Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gregory Ohiare, who highlighted the importance of organic manure, said that it is another means of generating electricity while encouraging slaughterhouse operators to inculcate the habit of converting the animal waste generated in their slaughterhouses to other useful resources.

He said cow blood, if properly sun-dried and converted into powder form, serves as another nutrient that can be added to animal feeds, adding that organic fertilizers are the best and are assured to yield bumper harvests for Farmers. 

He maintained that the product does not necessarily need much preservation, adding that it remains an untapped initiative that slaughterhouses need to venture into as it is another means of income for them aside from the abattoir business.

Also speaking at the workshop, the representative of Slaughterhouse Operators, Mr. Chukwu Godzie, spoke on the method of converting cow dung into organic fertilizer, explaining that large holes are dug where cow dungs are poured, and covered with black nylon for a particular number of days after which it ferments and transforms to fertilizers for plants.

He maintained that after the fertilization of the animal Waste to become Fertilizer, the product had been confirmed not to be harmful when used to enhance crop growth, adding that the product is also affordable as the process does not require huge capital.

The two-day workshop, held in Lagos East Senatorial District, had in attendance participants from Kosofe, Shomolu, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki and the Epe areas of Lagos State.