Meat dealers in Huye District are in advanced stages to set up a modern abattoir worth Rwf300 million under their co-operative COCOVIHU. Claver Nsanzimana, the president of the COCOVIHU, said the abattoir expected to start operations this year will help improve quality and widen business opportunities. 

Nsanzimana said when the slaughterhouse is completed, 50 heads of cattle will be slaughtered daily compared to between 10 and 15 heads of cattle presently.

The abattoir is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

"We will start construction work next month…we hope to secure a bank loan to procure equipment for the abattoir,” he told The New Times yesterday.

He said the 14-member COCOVIHU co-operative seeks to increase membership to 20 to be able to execute the project with ease.

Nsanzimana said the modern abattoir is essential to meet hygienic standards, as well as make them more competitive in the meat business.

"Previously, we could not compete for meat supply tenders because of the poor hygienic conditions we are operating in currently,” he noted.

The Private Sector Federations (PSF) in Huye District representative, Lambert Byemayire, said the modern abattoir will help improve the business and meat handling.

"Dealers have been slaughtering animals in unhygienic conditions, and unprofessionally.

"A cow is, for instance, stabbed and let to lie down in agony, which is not acceptable. But the modern abattoir will help meet acceptable standards,” he said.

The group plans to import the abattoir equipment from France.

Paulin Samvura Mutemberezi, the director of business development and employment in Huye District, said meat dealers in the district were still working in a ‘traditional’ way without modern machines.

He pledged the district’s support, especially acquiring a land title, and writing of a bankable business proposal to be able to secure a bank loan.

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