The Georgetown Municipal Abattoir yesterday afternoon sustained significant damage after a crane collapsed onto the building.
Just around 14:50 hours, a crane belonging to John Fernandes Limited, came into contact with a section of the roof of the abattoir located at Water Street. When Stabroek News visited the area, caution tape had already been placed at the entrance of the abattoir and was also blocking the small passageway south of the building. Shards of broken glass from windows of the building could be seen around the perimeter.
The incident resulted in the roof, walls and windows of the kitchen area being damaged along with the roof of the slaughtering chambers. The cost of repairs to the building has not yet been determined as a full assessment of the structure has to be done. According to workers who were present, there were no injuries as no one was in that section of the building at the time.
A press release from the Mayor and City Council noted that the abattoir will be closed from today until further notice, however meat and food inspectors will be engaging in onsite inspections on slaughtering days, which are, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at a section of the abattoir. The release stated that this is to facilitate the inspection of carcasses of animals from areas outside of the city and is necessary so as to ensure “wholesome meat reaches the consumers.”
Stabroek News was unable to elicit a comment from John Fernandes Limited on the incident. It was noted by the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, that following the accident they were already in communication with the company and are expected to have a meeting today. Lewis also stated that the company indicated its willingness to facilitate repairs to the damaged structure.
