City officials are expected to meet with representatives of John Fernandes Limited to finalise plans for the completion of repair works to the Georgetown Municipal Abattoir.
The Georgetown Municipal Abattoir, located at Water Street, sustained significant damage after the boom of a crane fell on the structure and came into contact with a section of the roof. The incident resulted in the roof, walls and windows of the kitchen area being damaged along with the roof of the slaughtering chambers.
When this newspaper contacted acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick, she disclosed that the two parties – officials from the Mayor and City Council and those from John Fernandes – are expected to meet again shortly to finalise plans to move forward.
Jerrick told Stabroek News that the parties had a meeting and subsequently the Engineer’s Department of the council was expected to submit an amended proposal. She stated that the proposal was submitted and a second meeting is expected soon.
As a result, no slaughtering is being done at the abattoir given the damage to the facility. However, Jerrick noted that health and safety officials are able to do inspections on meats that were slaughtered outside of the jurisdiction to have it prepared and ready for sale on the markets. “In addition to that we’ve implemented strict measures at our markets and other places to ensure that the meat entering those facilities are safe and fit for human consumption,” Jerrick said while adding reiterating that no one is allowed to sell meats that are not inspected and approved.
She also informed that there have always been safety measures in place at the facilities and as such there was no need to take an extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the meat or the workers at the facilities.
