|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Rivers State Government has warned butchers, meat processors and abattoir operators against using burnt tyres, plastics and dangerous chemicals to process animal meat and skin, raising concerns about food contamination and the potential health risks facing consumers.
The warning forms part of a renewed effort by the state government to strengthen food safety regulations, improve hygiene standards in slaughterhouses and prevent harmful substances from entering the food supply chain.
The government expressed particular concern over the practice of using burning tyres and plastics to remove hair from animal skins, popularly known as ponmo or kanda, as well as applying unapproved chemicals during meat processing and preservation.
Health and agricultural officials say these practices can expose consumers and meat handlers to hazardous substances, particularly when animals are processed in unhygienic environments without proper veterinary supervision.
The latest directive also targets illegal slaughterhouses operating without government approval, where inadequate sanitation and the absence of veterinary inspections could expose residents to unsafe meat.
The development places food safety at the centre of Rivers State’s agricultural and public health priorities, with authorities warning that operators who disregard the regulations risk arrest, prosecution and other enforcement measures.
The warning was issued during a press conference themed Food Safety: From Farm to Table, held at the Veterinary Hospital in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, on November 13, 2026.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mercy Iboroma Dagogo, represented by the Director of Administration, Levi Obinna, said the government was strengthening food inspection and monitoring across agricultural value chains.
She explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that food produced, processed, stored and distributed within Rivers State meets acceptable safety standards.
According to her, the ministry was intensifying activities through its departments responsible for agriculture, livestock and veterinary services, fisheries and engineering.
The government also highlighted the importance of proper agrochemical use, hygienic abattoirs, safe food storage and improved sanitation in markets.
Why the Government Is Targeting Tyres and Chemicals in Meat Processing
One of the major concerns raised during the press conference was the use of burnt tyres and plastics to process animal skins.
Some meat processors use burning tyres to remove hair from animal hides before preparing them for consumption. The practice is particularly associated with the processing of ponmo, also known as kanda.
Although the method may be used because of its availability and perceived convenience, health experts have raised concerns about the substances released when tyres burn.
Scrap tyres contain different chemical compounds and materials, including rubber polymers, carbon black, sulphur compounds and other industrial additives.
When tyres are burned, particularly in open environments, they can release smoke containing particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and potentially hazardous substances.
These emissions may include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are associated with serious health risks.
A scientific study published in the Annals of Global Health examined the health implications of occupational exposure to emissions from burning tyres among butchers at the Dei-Dei Abattoir in Abuja.
The research involved 156 participants, including 124 butchers and 32 administrative workers.
Researchers found evidence of increased exposure to certain harmful substances among the butchers and identified significant deterioration in lung function among workers exposed to tyre emissions.
The findings reinforced concerns about the dangers of using burning tyres during meat processing, particularly for workers who repeatedly inhale the resulting smoke.
The researchers recommended enforcing existing restrictions on burning tyres in meat processing and encouraging the use of appropriate protective equipment in abattoirs. Annals of Global Health
Rivers State officials are therefore seeking to prevent these practices from continuing in slaughterhouses and meat-processing facilities.
The government also warned against applying harmful chemicals to animal skins during preparation and preservation.
The use of substances such as formalin in food processing is particularly concerning because formaldehyde, its active chemical component, is hazardous and is not an approved food preservative.
Consumers may have difficulty identifying improperly processed animal skins simply by looking at them, making proper regulation and inspection essential.
Rivers Government Introduces New Rules for Abattoirs and Butchers
Beyond the warning against tyres and chemicals, the Rivers State Government has announced additional requirements for slaughterhouse operators and meat handlers.
The Director of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Dr Godswill Ukoikpoko, explained that all abattoirs operating in the state must be registered and validated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The requirement is intended to help the government identify authorised slaughter facilities and strengthen monitoring of activities taking place within them.
Under the new directives, slaughtering activities must commence by 7:00 a.m. to allow veterinary officials sufficient time to inspect animals and meat.
The government believes that proper inspection before and after slaughter is necessary to identify animals that may be diseased or unsuitable for human consumption.
The ministry also directed that animals must be transported to slaughterhouses in vehicles rather than driven on foot.
This requirement forms part of efforts to improve animal handling and transportation before slaughter.
Another important directive concerns the medical fitness of butchers and other meat handlers.
According to Ukoikpoko, meat handlers must undergo medical fitness examinations every two years.
The requirement is intended to strengthen hygiene standards and reduce the possibility of disease transmission through people involved in food preparation and handling.
The government also instructed operators to ensure that meat inspection fees are paid into designated government accounts.
Ukoikpoko warned that individuals and businesses found violating the regulations could face arrest and prosecution.
These measures are intended to establish clearer responsibilities for abattoir operators, meat inspectors and other stakeholders involved in the meat supply chain.
Government Warns Against Illegal Slaughterhouses
The Rivers State Government also expressed concern about illegal abattoirs operating without veterinary supervision.
According to the Director of Livestock and Veterinary Services, meat from such facilities may come from stolen animals, diseased livestock or animals that died under unknown circumstances.
Without proper inspection, consumers may unknowingly purchase meat that is unsuitable for human consumption.
Veterinary supervision is important because some animal diseases can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated animal products.
This category of diseases is commonly described as zoonotic infections.
The ministry explained that ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections were being conducted to identify diseases and prevent unsafe meat from entering the market.
Ante-mortem inspection involves examining animals before slaughter, while post-mortem inspection involves checking carcasses and organs after slaughter.
Both procedures help veterinary professionals identify signs of disease, abnormalities and other conditions that could make meat unsafe.
The government urged consumers to pay attention to hygiene standards at slaughterhouses and look out for veterinary doctors and certified meat inspectors when purchasing meat.
It also advised meat handlers to maintain personal hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment during processing.
Rivers Government Strengthens Veterinary Services
To support the enforcement of the new requirements, the government disclosed that veterinary hospitals and its diagnostic laboratory were operational.
These facilities provide preventive and therapeutic animal health services, while supporting efforts to control diseases that can spread between animals and humans.
The ministry also reported the provision of a sanitary van for transporting meat.
Proper transportation is an important part of food safety because meat can become contaminated when handled or moved in unhygienic conditions.
The government further disclosed that four veterinary doctors and para-veterinary personnel had been recruited to strengthen veterinary services across the state.
However, Ukoikpoko acknowledged that the ministry continued to experience manpower shortages.
He said a memorandum had been submitted to the governor requesting additional personnel to improve the department’s capacity to monitor abattoirs and provide veterinary services.
The shortage of qualified personnel remains an important issue because effective food safety enforcement requires regular inspections, laboratory support and sufficient officers to monitor facilities across different local government areas.
Government Extends Food Safety Warning to Farmers and Food Processors
Although the warning against burnt tyres and chemicals focused on meat processing, the Rivers State Government also raised concerns about unsafe practices in crop production and other areas of the food supply chain.
The Director of Agriculture, Sunday Agada, cautioned farmers against cultivating crops on contaminated land and using fertilisers and agrochemicals indiscriminately.
He explained that inappropriate agricultural practices could leave harmful chemical residues in food.
Farmers were advised to seek professional guidance on the proper mixing and application of agricultural chemicals and observe recommended waiting periods before harvesting crops.
The government also identified several food adulteration practices that could expose consumers to harmful substances.
These included the use of unauthorised azo dyes in palm oil, detergents and bleach in cassava processing, and calcium carbide for artificial fruit ripening.
The ministry also raised concerns about toxic chemicals, including aluminium phosphide-based products, being used improperly to preserve beans.
Agada encouraged farmers to maintain contact with Divisional Agricultural Officers and agricultural extension agents in their respective local government areas for guidance on safe production methods.
The government also called on residents to report suspicious food-processing activities to the appropriate authorities.
The Director of Fisheries, Fi-Ibite Adokiye, separately warned against practices that could compromise the safety of fish and other aquatic products.
He identified oil spills, industrial waste, dynamite fishing and the use of harmful chemicals such as Gamalin as threats to fish quality and consumer health.
Fish farmers were advised against using unapproved chemicals to accelerate fish growth and were encouraged to prevent contaminated water from entering their ponds.
The ministry also emphasised proper monitoring of water temperature and pH levels, as well as maintaining appropriate storage temperatures.
Cold-room operators and fish dealers were reminded of the importance of cold-chain management in preventing spoilage and maintaining food quality.
The government said inspections of fish farms and merchants would be intensified, while operators who failed to meet safety requirements risked having their licences withdrawn.
What the Warning Means for Consumers in Rivers State
The government’s announcement places additional responsibility on butchers, meat sellers, farmers, food processors and other people involved in the food supply chain.
For consumers, the measures could help improve confidence in the meat sold at markets and reduce exposure to harmful substances associated with unsafe processing practices.
However, effective enforcement will be essential.
A directive against using tyres and chemicals will have limited impact if illegal slaughterhouses continue operating without inspection or if meat processors can ignore regulations without consequences.
The government will also need to ensure that authorised abattoirs have access to clean water, proper waste disposal facilities, reliable transportation and adequate veterinary supervision.
These facilities are important because food safety cannot depend entirely on punishing offenders. Operators also need practical conditions that allow them to meet the required standards.
Butchers and meat processors must understand that safe production protects both their customers and their own health.
Consumers also have a role to play by purchasing meat from hygienic outlets, paying attention to the condition of products and reporting suspicious processing practices.
The announcement is therefore an important reminder that food safety begins long before meat reaches the market or a household kitchen.
As Rivers State strengthens its inspection and monitoring activities, the government’s next challenge will be ensuring that the new directives are consistently implemented across Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.
For residents, the central message is clear: meat processed with burnt tyres, plastics or harmful chemicals should not be treated as safe for consumption, and anyone involved in food production must comply with established hygiene and safety requirements.
