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Meat processing industries on the verge of collapse, Govt. advised to deal with power outages

By on January 19, 2013

The effect of power outages has continued to tell negatively on the nation’s economy. It has been revealed that the processing industries are the most affected. It is said that the industries are at the verge of collapse, and the Federal Government has been called upon to salvage the situation.

Speaking to reporters on the development, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, an Animal Production specialist stated that meat processing firms and companies are seriously suffering the effect of power outages. He said, those that can afford and run generators are making do with the ugly situation amid untold challenges.

Adeloye urged the Federal Government to swing into action and save the industries. He added that establishing meat processing industries in industrial areas would also add to saving the situation.

He said the failure of Government to provide a lasting solution to electricity distribution has posed challenges to cold chain warehousing.

Noting that the industry is growing and has a huge potential to grow even bigger is a huge concern and there is urgent need for constant power supply, he stressed.

He said that because smaller outlets cannot afford generators, it has become disastrous, since they can only afford to get generators that can power few electric bulbs and fans.

His words, “agricultural produce worth millions of naira have been lost to the electricity crisis, which has seen rolling power cuts — referred to locally as ‘load shedding’ — across the country over the past few months.”

He affirmed that the power inadequacy in the country has resulted to serious losses to an extent that the actual damage is becoming difficult to determine.

Stating the long run disadvantages of the development, he said the situation had become a threat to food security, affirming that farmers now have to invest in huge equipment to remain in business, while operators continue to battle with incessant increase of electricity tariff and and diesel.