Rivers State governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has announced that the expansion of the ultramodern abattoir being constructed in Mgbuosimini community, Rumueme in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, will now include an open spaced market and a motor park.
Wike made the announcement yesterday when he visited the project site to inspect the progress of work done on the world class abattoir designed with the capacity to slaughter 400 cattle, 1500 goats and sheep in one day.
The governor, who spoke to some residents, who thronged out to herald his arrival and waited until he was done with his inspection tour, appealed to them to continue to give the contractor the needed support so that the project could be completed on schedule.
He said: “We are almost finishing the slaughter house and then we are building a market on this side. And we have to commission it before I leave office. So, that is what I want to tell all of you.
“We want to start the park and the market immediately and that will create jobs for us. And I will make sure that those who are around here will be the direct beneficiaries of this jobs.”
Wike however, frowned at the slow pace of work on the world class modern abattoir project which is fully automated with the state-of-the- art facilities.
He stated that the extent of work already achieved on the project does not meet his expectation because the entire 100 percent contract sum had been paid to the contractor.
Wike inspected the meat mart, administrative building, internal roads, shore protection work, veterinary clinics and the laboratories structures that will check the health of animals before, and also the tissues when being slaughtered.
The governor said: “We have paid hundred percent. I just approved award of contract for the market to complement the slaughter.
“But the quality of job; well done, we are satisfied. They have told me that before the end of April, they would have completed the abattoir which is a modern abattoir.”
Wike reflected on the state of the former slaughter house that was located at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout and the unhygienic environment that traders conducted their activities, which was unacceptable.
He said, “But this is a modern abattoir where animals, cows and goats would be killed in a more civilized way as it is done according to international best practices.”
Wike also used the opportunity to thank residents of Mgbuosimini community for supporting and voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election.
The governor said, “The incoming governor will not disappoint you people. He will even do better than me with your support. You can go home and sleep with your two eyes closed.”
Wike also inspected the progress of work done at the magistrates’ court premises along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the project should have been completed by December, 2022, but the delay was caused by some minor amendments made on the structural work.
He explained that the expectation on the contractor now is to complete the external works and hand it over by the end of April because the interior furnishing is completed.
