The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, has laid the foundation for the construction of an ultra modern veterinary facility in the council area.
The project is being coordinated by L-Press and facilitated by Olatunji through the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, (OYSADA) Dr Debo Akande.
According to Olatunji, the project is one of the six veterinary hospitals being built across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The facility, according to him, is aimed at improving animal healthcare services and ensuring safer beef consumption within the council area.
The foundation laying ceremony, held at the council secretariat, Idi-Ayunre, on Tuesday, recorded stakeholders in the livestock value chain, traditional leaders, veterinary professionals and party faithful who described the project as visionary and strategic.
Speaking at the event, Olatunji said the new facility would serve as a central hub for veterinary services, disease surveillance and enforcement of meat inspection regulations across the local government.
According to him, the initiative forms part of his administration’s agenda to strengthen public health safeguards and modernise livestock management practices in Oluyole.
He noted that animal health is directly linked to human health and economic stability, stressing that unregulated slaughtering and poor veterinary oversight pose serious risks to consumers and residents of the council.
“Dr Debo Akande has been a great support not only for the State but also Oluyole Local Government in terms of agricultural development and growth.
“This facility will not only cater for domestic pets but will also ensure that animals meant for consumption are properly examined and certified fit before they get to our local markets,” the chairman said.
Olatunji added that the veterinary centre would be equipped with modern diagnostic tools, quarantine units and inspection units to improve disease detection and response.
He explained that the council would also intensify monitoring of abattoirs and meat processing centres within the local government to ensure compliance with established hygiene standards.
The chairman assured residents that the project would create employment opportunities for veterinary doctors, animal health technologists and support staff, while also providing livestock farmers with access to professional advisory services.
Olatunji maintained that, the veterinary facility, when completed, is expected to significantly enhance regulatory oversight, promote responsible pet ownership and strengthen the overall public health architecture within Oluyole Local Government.
In their remarks, stakeholders at the ceremony commended the council boss for prioritising animal health, describing the project as a proactive step towards curbing zoonotic diseases and boosting confidence in locally sourced beef products.
They however, urged livestock traders and butchers to cooperate with the council in enforcing regulations that would guarantee safe and healthy meat consumption.
Engr. Kayode Owadokun, the Project Manger, commended the LG chairman for his visionary leadership and pragmatic approach to governance at the grassroots.
He assured that the facility would serve as a central location for animal healthcare service hub for both domestic pets and meat consumption for residents in the Council area.
Present at the event were the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mrs Oyewale Mosunmola, the project supervisors; Engr liadi Semiu, Sodiq Luqman- Project Supervisor, and other top local government officials.
