There have been reactions over alleged offensive odour, purported to be generated, at a poultry farm situated at Plot 166 New Road, Borokiri, in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking to our correspondent recently, the deputy Director Environmental Heath, Dr. Nmegbu U.S. pointed out that having a poultry farm within a residential area could be tolerated so long as it was properly fenced away from the public’s sight, with a provision for ample supply of water to ease cleaning and a periodic fumigation programme to gward against infection.
He added that diseases associated with birds and animals such as fled are airbone and mainly virus infections, hence the sanitary consciousness must meet the World Health Organisation’s standard.
According to him, the birds’ dropping is the paramount hazard especially when allowed to ferment, because of its offensive odour.
He therefore, advised that special care must be given to avoid wetness on the droppings for farmers in deep-liter system.
Also speaking, Mr. John Akinnuba, the Chief Executive Officer of centre for Environmental and Community Development (EECD) says the environmental implication of siting a poultry within a neighbourhood is centred on the odour, adding that if it constitutes a nuisance, it amounts to inconvenience.
According to him,, “ideally there ought to be some distance, however, if the owner is very conscious of his environment, by appreciating the fact that the right of his neighbours to an uncontaminated air must be protected, then he could have his farm within.
Mr. Cole Ayimea, told Our correspondent that when the farm started last year, there were pockets of complaitns from neighbours, which also subsided as the farm’s administration gave priority attention to the sanitary condition of the farm.
Cole said that droppings are constantly evacuated on weekly basis and in most cases earlier than weekly in the event of liter wetness.
He said a 25-litre Izal disinfectant is used every week to rid the farm of infection while health officers also visit the farm for more education on how to make the farm environmental-friendly.
He promised to do his best to make the farm meet the World Health Organisation’s sanitary standard.
However, while some neighbours accept being disturbed by the Odour that comes occasionally from the farm, other do not see it as an issue to worry about.
Uyi Cole farm, situated at Plot 166 New Road, Borikiri in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, with registration CRBP No. RV/09/07/Mci/00947 is duly registered under section 12 of the Rivers State registration of business places law, 1976 as Amended to carry out business on mechanised farm (poultry).

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi