Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) has acquired full administration and operation of the Oshakati abattoir.
The abattoir was previously owned by the Oshakati Town Council and managed by the Namibia Development Corporation.
However, the facility has not been operational for years after being left abandoned by previous operators.
The commissioner general of the NCS, Raphael Hamunyela, visited the facility on Monday.
The abattoir has been renovated by inmates of the Oluno Correctional Facility.
Hamunyela said even though the NCS has attained full administration of the abattoir, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is yet to be signed between the two parties.
“We have not yet signed the MoU. We want to finalise everything before we sign the agreement. When fully operational, the abattoir will continue to slaughter pigs from Oluno Correctional Facility. The facility has been producing pork for correctional and police custody facilities in the north-western and eastern regions. It will also render a slaughtering service to local butchers, and is expected to have a staff complement of five correctional service officers.
“These officers are integrated from the previous employer,” he said.
Renovation of the facility started in February last year, shortly after the NCS gained custodianship of the abattoir.
The NCS has so far spent about N$402 000 on renovations.
“There is still a need to attain freezers and cold storage, which would cost the NCS an amount of N$102 258,59.
“A few structures still need upgrading, such as the cold-storage facility, floor, windows, and the kraal and its corridors,” he said.
Hamunyela said there is currently no budget for additional expenditure, however, his office would try its best to achieve what is needed to improve the standard of the abattoir.
He said when the abattoir has been fully upgraded, prices may be increased to meet the standard of services rendered.
