South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Jenifer James
The Central Equatoria State Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Alex Lotiyu Elia, yesterday ordered for the immediate closure of two slaughterhouses in Mangala payam due to lack of proper hygiene.
“These slaughterhouses must be closed down immediately until we address the issues of sanitation. The lives of humans are more important than the revenue we are generating. That said we are not suspending the slaughterhouse business entirely,” Elia told journalists after he inspected the slaughter houses in Gumbo.
He called on the owners of the slaughterhouses and the chairperson of the butchers’ union to meet with the ministry to find a way forward.
Elia also appealed to the national government and potential investors to support the development of modern slaughter facilities.
“We are calling on the national government and investors to invest in the construction of modern and standard slaughterhouses. This will allow butchers to work in clean environments and help reduce the spread of diseases,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, the payam director of Rajaf, Noel Lado, said residents of Gumbo have in the past been calling on the government to relocate the slaughterhouses from residential areas.
“The people around here have been complaining that the solid waste from the slaughterhouses is causing disease to them and their children,” Lado said.
However, the owner of Bilnyang slaughterhouse Paul Bol, urged Central State officials not close the slaughterhouses as many people would be pushed out of work.
“The government should give us a chance to work; the slaughterhouses should not be closed. Where will the butchers slaughter the animals? Where will the citizens get meat from? We need to wait until the meeting is done with the government,” Bol said.
The slaughterhouses which were closed include Dubai and Bilnyang slaughterhouses in Mangala Payam.