Jubilation in Akwanga as TBS Hands Over Renovated Abattoir to Government
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa
There was wild jubilation in Akwanga, headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, as the Tony Bala Shammah (TBS) Foundation officially handed over a fully renovated abattoir at Kwata to the local government authority, a development that has been hailed as a major boost to public health, hygiene standards and the local economy.
Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, who doubles as the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, lavished praises on the foundation’s founder, Engr. Tony Bala Shammah, during the colourful handover ceremony, describing the gesture as a “game-changer” for the community that had long suffered from the facility’s dilapidated state, which had turned it into a serious health hazard with poor sanitation posing risks to residents and meat consumers alike.
Hon. Andaha, who received the keys to the ultramodern abattoir on behalf of the council, expressed profound gratitude to Engr. Shammah for taking the bold initiative to intervene where government resources were stretched thin, noting that the renovation would not only improve hygiene but also stimulate economic activities by providing a safer environment for butchers and livestock handlers.
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“This project is a game-changer for our community; we really appreciate Mr. Tony Bala Shammah for taking the bold step to renovate the abattoir, and you can see that the workers are happy,” the elated chairman declared amid cheers from hundreds of residents, workers and dignitaries who thronged the venue, many of whom danced to local tunes in celebration of the long-awaited upgrade.
The Abattoir Kwata project, strategically located in the heart of Akwanga, had fallen into disrepair over the years, becoming an eyesore and a breeding ground for diseases until Engr. Shammah’s foundation stepped in with the comprehensive renovation aimed at restoring it to a clean, functional facility now handed over for public use under local government management.
The council boss further highlighted how the initiative had brought immense relief to the people, enhancing overall infrastructure and services in the area, while the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Kwanta Yakubu, and the District Head of Akwanga, Sir Anthony Yamusa, joined in the commendations, thanking Engr. Shammah for his humanitarian efforts and pledging their unwavering support to ensure the facility’s sustainability and the foundation’s future projects.
In his remarks, Engr. Tony Bala Shammah, a renowned philanthropist and engineer, explained that the abattoir renovation was part of his foundation’s broader commitment to uplifting various sectors of society, urging citizens to see themselves as active participants in governance rather than passive observers waiting on elected officials.
“The government is not just those we elect; we are all part of the government, hence we all should strive to collectively embark on projects of this nature to help the people and the state at large,” he stated, emphasizing the critical role of community involvement in complementing government efforts to deliver dividends of democracy, a message that resonated deeply with the jubilant crowd and underscored the growing culture of private-public partnerships in Nasarawa State’s development agenda.
