Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 05, 2010 News
NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – Vandalism of the New Amsterdam Abattoir, at Esplanade, is a bugbear to the Town Council. Public Health Inspector for New Amsterdam, Ackloo Ramsudh is appealing to persons to desist from destroying the two facilities.
Both the new abattoir and the old one are constantly destroyed but representatives of the council claim they can do precious little. The only reason given is that the site receives no electricity.
Last year, vandals removed all of the zinc sheets and rafters from the new slaughterhouse. At present, there is nothing in the place. According to Mr. Ackloo, thieves continue to remove whatever can be taken including plumbing and electrical fixtures, doors and windows.
The New Amsterdam Town Council did some remedial work on the roof of the old Municipal Abattoir recently. The job was completed at a figure close to $1million. There is still need for improvement at the old facility. Many basic necessities are lacking, besides electricity there is no washroom facility and the structure is dilapidated.
Ironically, standing side by side, only a few feet away, is a new $19 million abattoir in the vicinity of the Burnham Park that has never been used and is now referred to as a white elephant.
In 1999, a request was made by the New Amsterdam Town Council for a modern facility to be constructed under Phase Two of the Urban Development Programme. Due to the high cost this did not materialise then but the necessary ground work began.
However, in October 2006, the $19 million abattoir was commissioned at the very location despite some initial problems.
The old abattoir was tossed years ago since the conditions were not up to standard, but last week, Mr. Ackloo said it was never officially condemned. Prior to the construction of the new slaughterhouse, butchers complained of the leaky roof, broken external walls as well as the absence of water and electricity. Now there is a supply of potable water at the old facility which some claim is more spacious.
According to Mr. Ackloo, the presence of an abattoir assures the public of high quality control, thus making the facility a necessary infrastructure.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday butchers slaughter their bovine and porcine at the facility. On these days, the presence of a rank from the Guyana Police Force, a veterinary officer and a health officer is a must. The role of the police is to verify ownership of the animal in the light of increasing complaints of cattle rustling. The veterinary officer performs ante-mortem checks – such as the age of the animal to be slaughtered, to ensure the animal is disease free and that no cow is slaughtered. Mr. Ackloo explained that in their lingo, the term ‘cow’ is applied mainly to those that have given birth or that can reproduce. The environment health officer does the post-mortem of the animals. One of the main checks is for tuberculosis and other diseases. That official also inspects for bruises, broken bones and other injuries. If any is present the animal must be condemned and disposed of at the municipal dumpsite where it would be burnt at the end of the day. He said that in the absence of an abattoir, butchers would slaughter their animals anywhere and the quality of meat would not meet the required standard.
In a previous interview, Town Clerk (Acting) Angellina Collins had said persons need to be more responsible and understanding, “If persons do not destroy or steal these things we would not have to go back and spend money on the very things, we could have looked at another area. The Government built that abattoir for the Municipality.”
Late last year a crook stole the two copper pots. These utensils are used to boil water to cleanse the animals that are slaughtered. The following day, based on a tip off, a team from the Town Constabulary moved in on a house in East Canje where they recovered the items. The Constabulary Department is still investigating the matter.
The New Amsterdam Town Council also suffered another blow in July last year when thieves stole almost half of the zinc sheets from the roof of the Chapel at the Stanleytown Cemetery.
In May 2006, the Chapel was constructed at a cost of $2.2 million compliments of the Municipal Governance and Management Programme (MGMP) and the Town Council along with other stakeholders.
The building is used by the Sexton to house records of the cemetery as well as serve its religious function to those who have passed on.
The Town Clerk said that the Council is trying to address the issue of frequent theft. More security personnel were employed but the area the abattoir is located in is desolate. A guard hut is to be constructed in close proximity to the slaughterhouse and a new method would be used when constructing the roof at the abattoir and Chapel so as to minimise theft.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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