Lagos Butchers Urge Speedy Completion of Eko Ranch

Source: Businessday

The Lagos State Butchers’ Association has called on the government to fast-track the completion of the Eko Ranch project, a 750-acre initiative aimed at revolutionizing cattle rearing, reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening food security. 

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos, the association’s Patron, Alhaji Bamidele Kazeem, emphasized that the project will transform the red meat value chain by ensuring hygiene, quality control, and economic benefits for butchers and cattle rearers. 

He stressed that once operational, the ranch would increase daily cattle slaughter, cut transportation costs, and provide fresher meat for Lagosians.Located in the Gbodu community of Epe, the ranch is expected to reduce Lagos State’s dependence on cattle imports from Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Northern Nigeria. 

Kazeem highlighted that this initiative will stabilize meat prices, create job opportunities, and attract investments in the livestock sector. 

He praised the federal government’s creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development and acknowledged the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Lagos State Government for their ongoing support in training ranch investors. 

He urged authorities to sustain these efforts to ensure the success of the project and enhance Nigeria’s livestock industry.