Thirteen days of intense functional pressure recently exerted on the famous Vingunguti slaughter house in Dar es Salaam once again revealed the urgent need for a bigger and modern abattoir to meet the growing demand for optional service in the city with the population exceeding four million people.
The Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr Mathayo David Mathayo
The order issued by the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) a few weeks ago, that the privately run slaughter house of Ukonga Mazizini on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam should close business for hygiene concerns pushed to the place more than 400 cattle for slaughter a day.
As a result of the NEMC order, meat traders from Ukonga Mazizini slaughter house shifted to Vingunguti effective April 26 to May 9, 2013 and the locality could not withstand the pressure resulting in quick destruction of some of the slaughtering infrastructure.
The Senior Officer of Vingunguti slaughter house, Juma Nganyanga said Vingunguti has the capacity to handle 300 animals at a go but the arrival of more than twice the number of animals per night, complicated the situation such that even meat inspection was jeopardised.
“The minimum number of animals slaughtered a day is 600 cows apart from hundreds of goats equally supplied to the city. Cleanliness, therefore, was a serious challenge and the infrastructure already in place was destroyed. There is a serious need for another bigger and modern abattoir,” Nganyanga explains.
Despite the fact that early last year the Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr Mathayo David Mathayo ordered massive repair of the Vingunguti slaughter house, he added, the congestion caused serious damage to the facility. “We (Vingunguti) business community demanded relocation of Mazizini traders to lessen pressure on this small abattoir, the only facility in town with acceptable standards.
Currently there are smaller abattoirs like those at Pugu, Kimara, Tegeta and Mbagala but, according to Mr Nganyanga, these are merely slaughter channels not necessarily meeting the recommended standards.
Asked to comment on meat inspection under such pressure, Nganyanga said there are six veterinary officers specifically for Vingunguti, but it became necessary to call in five others from Mazizini Ukonga to help in inspection. “However, carcasses were hung too closely making it extremely difficult for the meat inspectors to make thorough assessment of the meat.
The traders from Ukonga Mazizini moved to the area hardly a day after it was closed on April 25, this year. They have gone back to their place but the need for a modern abattoir for the city cannot be overstated,” Nganyanga clarified.
However, one of the interviewed meat traders who resumed activities at Ukonga Mazizini slaughter house, Ignatius Remetu (47), says he preferred working at Vingunguti to Ukonga due to the proximity to town and accessibility. He admitted that some of the traders from Ukonga wanted to remain at Vingunguti.
“We pay 4,800/- per head at Ukonga slaughter house as revenue for various expenses. However, the cost at Vingunguti for similar services offered is 2,700/- only. We have returned to Ukonga as we have no other alternative. There is good business at Vingunguti,” Remetu explains.
The Ukonga slaughter house is divided into three sections accommodating a number of traders. One of the owners of the slaughter house, Hamisi Lemgoha said improvement of the infrastructure at the area was still underway, but the traders have shifted due to excessive pressure at Vingunguti.
“Our return is well communicated with NEMC who will come for inspection to make sure that all hygienic measures are adhered to. We are willing to comply with all recommendations for human safety,” Lemgoha explains.
On spot visit by ‘Sunday News’ revealed that handling of meat in the area was pathetic as the place was congested with animal droppings spread all over. Streams of blood from the slaughtered animals were flowing all over and the cleaners were overwhelmed as the number of animals exceeded their capacity.
By BILHAM KIMATI, Tanzania Daily News
