Windhoek: The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) on Tuesday officially handed over the operational responsibility of the Katima Mulilo abattoir to the Zambezi Meat Corporation (ZAMCO).

According to Namibia Press Agency, this transition marks the conclusion of a five-year mandate given to Meatco by the Ministry of Agriculture. The mandate aimed to operate the abattoir while developing the technical capacity for ZAMCO to independently manage the facility.

Meatco's Chief Executive Officer for the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), Thimoteus Kativa, emphasized that over the past five years, Meatco focused on providing sustainable market access for livestock producers in the Zambezi region. During this period, a total of 17,160 cattle were marketed, resulting in over N.dollars 139 million in payments to producers.

Kativa highlighted the positive impact on employment, noting that the abattoir created 57 permanent jobs and approximately 100 temporary positions annually. This contributed to local economic development, skills transfer, and improved incomes within the Zambezi Region. A significant achievement of the partnership was the successful implementation of the commodity-based trade protocol, which allowed the NCAs to be recognized as beef exporters adhering to international animal health standards. This was marked by Namibia's first beef export to Ghana.

To ensure continuity, Kativa assured stakeholders that all Meatco employees would be retained, and critical operational assets would remain to support ongoing operations. Meatco will also provide guidance, advice, and technical support to ZAMCO, subject to specific terms and conditions.

Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula commended the transition as an example of business continuity that protects the interests of farmers and employees while promoting Namibian beef on a global scale. She also praised the agriculture ministry's price equalisation fund, which benefits NCA farmers by providing price aggregates similar to those enjoyed by farmers south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.

Local livestock farmer Michael Sibuku expressed optimism about the handover, noting that the facility provides a better-priced market and reduces waiting periods for payments.