The Cross River State Government has directed slaughterhouse operators and butchers to stop making cash payments to unauthorised agents, requiring revenue to be paid directly into designated government accounts. The directive accompanies plans to strengthen livestock registration, veterinary inspection, sanitation and meat-safety oversight.
The Cross River State Government has directed slaughterhouse operators and butchers to discontinue cash payments to unauthorised agents and third parties. Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Francis Edet Ekpenyong issued the directive during a meeting with members of the Butchers Association in Calabar.
Ekpenyong said all revenue payments must be made directly into designated government accounts through approved revenue codes. He warned that payments made to individuals or unauthorised third parties would no longer be recognised, explaining that the new arrangement was intended to improve transparency, reduce revenue leakages and support the upgrading of slaughter facilities.
The commissioner also called for closer cooperation between the ministry and butchers to improve sanitation at slaughterhouses and ensure that facilities meet appropriate standards for safe meat production. The governor's personal assistant on livestock licensing, Mallam Nasiru Gombe, said the state was working to strengthen licensing, registration and documentation across the livestock sector.
Gombe said a planned central livestock database would establish reliable records of legitimate operators and help registered association members access government support, grants and development loans. Representing the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Regina Tambe stressed that animals must undergo veterinary inspection and certification before slaughter, including at facilities within military establishments.
Butchers Association chairman Peter Amon said the association was prepared to comply with the direct-payment system, while Eyo Nsa pledged cooperation with hygiene measures and the forthcoming statewide registration and database exercise. The government says the changes are intended to improve revenue accountability, strengthen meat safety and support the modernisation of slaughter facilities.