Meat dryers make brisk business in Enugu

NAN-HE-25
Preservation
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Dec. 21, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of Enugu have resorted to traditional meat dryers due to incessant power outages which make it impossible to preserve food stuff in refrigerators, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.
The traditional meat dryers at the Artisan Market on Ogui Road specialise in drying all types of meat with coal, wood and saw-dust.
A NAN Correspondent who visited the market reports that customers are mostly attracted to the market as they spice the meat.
One of the meat dryers, Mr Godwin Ajaegbu told NAN that he had been in the business for several years but had not witnessed the type of patronage he was currently enjoying.
Ajaegbu said he makes enough money to keep his family going, adding that the business needed patience, commitment and sincerity.
He said power outages had been a blessing as customers who used to store their meat in the refrigerators had resorted to patronising them.
Another meat dryer, Mr Patrick Eneh said the increase in patronage was a clear testimony that there was dignity in labour.
Eneh said they had no dull moment in the business, adding that the meat was safe for consumption as they operated under hygienic condition.
A customer, Mrs Adaobi Ilouno said she resorted to patronising the meat dryers due to uncertainty in power supply in parts of the state.
Ilouno said it was cost effective to dry meat using the traditional means, adding that the expertise of the dryers was an added advantage.
“I believe dry meat is healthier for consumption as the fat would have been removed by the time the meat passed through the fire.
“The meat is tasty and also easy to serve due to the condiments used in drying them”, Ilouno said.
NAN reports that the market had been a beehive as the yuletide is fast approaching. (NAN)
EOA/MNA/IEA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Idahosa Asowata