By Alan Clement
Central Equatoria State’s Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Alex Lotiyu Elia, has called for urgent investment in a modern slaughterhouse to unlock South Sudan’s vast livestock potential and boost the national economy.
Speaking exclusively, the Minister described the lack of infrastructure as a missed economic opportunity, stressing its potential for national growth. “This is supposed to be an economic power which is to be exported,” he told this outlet.
He added that developing the sector could significantly boost the country’s finances stating; “It will generate a lot of hard currencies that will improve our economy.”
The Minister decried South Sudan’s inability to export meat despite its vast livestock population, estimated at over 36 million head of cattle, citing the lack of proper slaughter facilities as a major setback.
“This is the only capital in East Africa that has no slaughter facility,” Lotiyu noted. “With the number of cattle we have, this country should be an economic power exporting meat and earning hard currency,” he added.
He appealed to development partners, private investors, and the government to expedite the establishment of a modern slaughterhouse, saying it would enhance food safety, create business opportunities, and boost revenue.
“I want to urge our development partners, business sector, and the government to expedite the establishment of a modern slaughterhouse so that all these challenges will be addressed,” he said.
The Minister also appealed to and encouraged the media to support awareness efforts.
“You in the media house, we need you also to agitate because I know the power of media will sensitize and echo the citizens’ need to the leaders,” he appealed.
Minister Lotiyu emphasized that while enforcement against illegal slaughtering continues, the long-term solution lies in infrastructure development. “In the long run, the solution lies in establishing the slaughterhouse,” he concluded.