Ho, Dec. 12, GNA - Meat Consumers in the Ho Municipality face the risk of food poisoning this Christmas unless conditions at the "slaughterhouse" changed dramatically.

The open space "slaughterhouse" has neither drainage nor facilities for waste disposal.

Vultures, dogs and flies have become regular customers to the place where they compete with environmental health officers to inspect meat meant for public consumption. Dogs and vultures could be seen competing aggressively with butchers for their share of meat.

Alhaji Adam Kuri, Spokesperson for the Chief Butcher, said the slaughter house, built 33 years ago lacked water; washroom and kraal, where animals meant for slaughtering were kept. He said the butchers used to slaughter about 15 cattle a day during festivities but the number had reduced drastically due to the deteriorating condition of the place.

Mr Simon Mawuli Ayi, Environmental Health Officer in charge of the slaughterhouse, told the GNA that the condition at the site was not favourable and that it could trigger the outbreak of diarrhoea and food poisoning.

He said the slaughtering slab could promote bacterial growth because dogs and vultures defecate on it. Mr Reuben Nusenu, Veterinary Officer at the slaughterhouse, said his outfit was doing its best to ensure the safety of meat from the place but appealed to the Municipal Assembly to relocate the house to its new site at Sokode where a an abattoir befitting the Municipality should be built.

Mr Prosper Anatsui, Ho Municipal Environmental Health Officer, said the Office had written to the Assembly for some financial assistance to fence the slaughter slab as a temporally measure. Mr Ben Adjorlolo, Ho Municipal Coordinating Director, said the Assembly had pledged its preparedness to help to improve conditions at