NCA abattoirs to reopen
Two companies, Zamco and Kiat Investments, are to take over operations at the Katima Mulilo and Oshakati abattoirs respectively.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has announced the two operators that will take over the government-owned abattoirs in the Northern Communal Area (NCA) after Meatco announced it will not renew its contract with government.
Zambezi Meat Corporation (Zamco) will be taking over operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir, while Kiat Investments will be taking over at Oshakati abattoir.
The lease agreement signed with the ministry is for 25 years and may be extended.
They will make N$14 million available for the rehabilitation of the Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs.
The money will be sourced from the N$110 million allocation to the Directorate of Veterinary Services from the European Development Fund.
The agricultural minister, John Mutorwa, said the Northern Communal Area is currently excluded from a market.
“There is no formal market. It is a big problem. Therefore it is very important for these operators to open these abattoirs so that once operational there is some market outlet for these farmers.”
Mutorwa elaborated on the last few years and said it has been very hard on livestock farmers.
He described the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in May 2015 in some of the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) as a national disaster, but said that the catastrophe also brought the country together and therefore Namibia was able to be declared free of FMD in January last year.
“As if the FMD outbreak was not bad enough, there was the drought,” said Mutorwa.
He said the country has however received good rain and the two operators are ready to start and farmers can start selling their livestock again.
Mutorwa said that meat from the NCA, through commodity trading and if properly handled, can be traded anywhere. “There is nothing wrong with it.”
According to Kiat Investments, it is terrible that years have passed in which these farmers have been unable to access markets, especially since they depend on livestock to make their living.
The company noted that the facilities have not been used for years and need to be rendered operational, which will take time.
Meatco announced last year it will no longer operate and manage the two abattoirs after accumulating immense losses for several years.
After Meatco announced it will not renew its agreement, the company decided it will instead make use of mobile slaughter units within the Northern Communal Areas.
Last year, Zamco rejected the proposed introduction of the mobile slaughter in the region. The Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs were managed and operated by Meatco since 1991.
ELLANIE SMIT
Zambezi Meat Corporation (Zamco) will be taking over operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir, while Kiat Investments will be taking over at Oshakati abattoir.
The lease agreement signed with the ministry is for 25 years and may be extended.
They will make N$14 million available for the rehabilitation of the Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs.
The money will be sourced from the N$110 million allocation to the Directorate of Veterinary Services from the European Development Fund.
The agricultural minister, John Mutorwa, said the Northern Communal Area is currently excluded from a market.
“There is no formal market. It is a big problem. Therefore it is very important for these operators to open these abattoirs so that once operational there is some market outlet for these farmers.”
Mutorwa elaborated on the last few years and said it has been very hard on livestock farmers.
He described the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in May 2015 in some of the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) as a national disaster, but said that the catastrophe also brought the country together and therefore Namibia was able to be declared free of FMD in January last year.
“As if the FMD outbreak was not bad enough, there was the drought,” said Mutorwa.
He said the country has however received good rain and the two operators are ready to start and farmers can start selling their livestock again.
Mutorwa said that meat from the NCA, through commodity trading and if properly handled, can be traded anywhere. “There is nothing wrong with it.”
According to Kiat Investments, it is terrible that years have passed in which these farmers have been unable to access markets, especially since they depend on livestock to make their living.
The company noted that the facilities have not been used for years and need to be rendered operational, which will take time.
Meatco announced last year it will no longer operate and manage the two abattoirs after accumulating immense losses for several years.
After Meatco announced it will not renew its agreement, the company decided it will instead make use of mobile slaughter units within the Northern Communal Areas.
Last year, Zamco rejected the proposed introduction of the mobile slaughter in the region. The Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs were managed and operated by Meatco since 1991.
ELLANIE SMIT
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