Ondo state government will encourage the intake of pork as an alternative to beef to save millions of naira, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said.
Ondo state is among the 17 Southern Nigerian Governors that banned open grazing in the region, with Akeredolu saying the ban is irreversible and it will be enforced with vigour.
Speaking on Monday at the commissioning of an ultra-modern Dutchman Piggery and its supporting facilities at Ilutoro in Akure North Local Government Area of the state as part of activities marking his 100 days in office, the governor said the money that is lost to other states that supply cows and other meat would have remained within the state to lubricate the state’s economy.
He also said that apart from its jobs creating capability for the youths, dietary intake of lovers of pork would be enhanced, pork being an alternative to beef.
Akeredolu said: “More to that, our rural areas would also be opened up for development.
“It is mind-boggling that millions of Naira leave this state weekly on beef consumption, in form of capital flight.
“Money that would have remained within to lubricate the economy of the state is lost to other states that supply cow and other meat sources.
“This informed our decision to address the ugly trend by encouraging the production of a homegrown alternative in piggery and pig processing on one hand, and also to create veritable means of empowerment and employment for our teeming youths on the other hand.”
