BY CHIKA KWAMBA
The Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture, Val Arenyeka has directed all pet owners and butchers to adhere strictly to veterinary directives and ensure routine vaccination.
Arenyeka made the call during the election of the National Butchers Union Of Nigeria (NBUN), Delta State Chapter, held in Asaba where he reiterated the significance of generating revenue for the state and compliance to animal health professionals rules for the wellbeing of all animals.
Addressing the butchers shortly after the election, the commissioner, represented by the Director of Veterinary Service, Dr Edmund Orioko, congratulated them for conducting a peaceful and transparent election and charged them to work as a team for the progress of the union.
“We have had a very good election free of rancour. Let’s continue in this order. We are all together; the butcher’s and the veterinary service department. We work hand in hand.
“A lot of my officers are in the field, and we get information on their daily encounters with you. So, I want to use this platform to encourage us to cooperate and uphold these unions and move the state forward.
“You know that the animals you are slaughtering, the meat we eat, our people in the field look at them and ensure that they are fit for consumption. Allow them and give them support to do their job well. If the job is not done well it shows in the public primarily the ones we consume.
“Now, we have a reoccurring issue in the state. I have been interfacing with your leaders from time to time in the area of revenue; the government revenue must be paid.
“It is not something we should play with. The government of today is looking for money and these revenues from different areas and sectors make up the internally generated revenue of Delta State.
“So, let us try and make payment of the approved revenue. I therefore appeal to you to pay to the contractors appointed by the state government” he said.
Earlier, the newly elected Chairman of the union, Peter Onuoha charged all elected officers to embrace the new position and also set their minds to work and make progress for the growth of the union and the state.
