Processors of donkey meat given six months ultimatum to get an upgrade

Dodoma. The deputy minister for State, Vice President Office, Union Affairs and Environment, Mr Kangi Lugola, has issued a six-month ultimatum to a donkey meat processing company, Wechang International Ltd, to upgrade its infrastructure to meet required standards.

The minister said while serving the terms of the ultimatum, the owner of the company should discuss with officials of the ministry of Livestock and Fisheries on a possibility of a joint venture in order to speed up the factory improvement.

Speaking during his visit in the region over the weekend, Mr Lugora said the factory has not met any of the requirements of the environmental impact assessment, directing the owner to start upgrading the facility’s infrastructure soon.

“I have realised that the factory leadership has defied the government directive to carry out the environmental impact assessment. I now direct them to complete the process and obtain a certificate of compliance from the National Environment Management Council of Tanzania (NEMC),” said Mr Lugola.

The deputy minister warned that the factory would be shut down if they fail to comply with his directive.

“The fifth phase government under President John Magufuli advocates for industrial investments. It is not bad to have donkey meet processing factory here, but it should adhere to NEMC guidelines,” he said.

Apart from the directive, Mr Lugola called on the factory owners to ensure that there is a consistence in donkey breeding.

The factory manager, Mr Fortunatus Buyobe, admitted that their facility had shortcomings and promised to fix them soon.

The factory started its operations in 2015 before it was closed last year for failure to comply with the environment assessment requirements.

It was re-opened in February 2018 without a certificate from NEMC.