26 March, 2008
Zainu Bassie, Freetown

Butchers Need Help

Since the APC took the office of governance in Sierra Leone many government offices and institutions have either gone on strike for salaries or request for change in management. Butchers and Meat Sellers over the weekend have towed that line.

The Butchers and Meat Sellers Union spoke to our reporter and lined up a series of complaints, among them poor sanitary conditions and lack of basic facilities in the Butchery at Mabella Market.

When putting his grievances to our reporter, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Mabella Butchers Union, Allieu Barrie, said that members of the union are dismally disappointment about the poor facilities with which they are serving the nation, especially in the environment in which they operate.

Mr. Barrie explained that, the acting Mayor of the Freetown City Council, the Trade Minister, and other government officials from the National Power Authority (NPA), and Guma Valley Water Company, visited them and have promised to take immediate actions.

Barrie also said that one Gibril Bundu, as been permanently assigned to the Butchery by the Health Ministry to always make sure that meat that is being brought to the market is fit for human consumption.

Mr. Barrie continued to explain that Mr. Bundu’s presence is to make sure that the public is not exposed to infected meat.  He said the Ministry also screens all the animals from point of origin to their final destination.

However Mr. Barrie further said the major problems they are facing is lack of water, electricity, a proper drainage system, and also vehicles to supply meat to other areas in the city. He expressed disappointment over the former mayors demand to pay the sum of Le 5 million for the use a vehicle donated by Britain to the Freetown City Council for the supply meat. He demonstrated dismay about the plenty promises the former mayor made and was not able to fulfill. 

He concluded by saying that their hopes are very high with emergence of the APC government. He displayed confidence that this government will change things for them.

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