Cancer: Abia Govt health officials inspect abattoirs, caution butchers

The Environmental Health Department of Aba South Health Authority in Abia State has stormed two major abattoirs at Ogbor Hill and Peoples Road in Aba to caution butchers in the areas against unhealthy practices.

The environmental health officers, who arrived in large numbers, inspected the materials being used for roasting of animal skin and hides.

During the visit, the environmental officers said the use of tyres in roasting animal hides and skins was a contributing factor to the rising cases of cancer and some other diseases among the people.

The health authority staff further reminded the butchers that the method of using tyres had been abolished because of its health implications.

In a related development, the enforcement team of the health department has sealed two premises at Amucha Street and Nise Street in Aba for allowing their septic tank to be open and overflowing with waste.

An official statement from the Aba South Local Government Health Authority said that some of the occupants were arrested and arraigned at environmental sanitation court for polluting the public space and endangering people’s health.

“There was a filled-up septic tank leading to the overflowing of excreta wastes in the yard space,” the Aba South LGA said.