Residents of neighboring communities to Otta Farms in Ogun state have
raised alarm over the threat posed to their health by the outbreak of Bird
Flu on the farm, which hosts a poultry unit in addition to other ventures.
The outbreak of bird flu disease has been authoritatively confirmed to
have hit the poultry unit of the farm owned by former President, Olusegun
Obasanjo.
The deadly virus, which the communities said poses threat to them because
of proximity, is raising serious cause for alarm as they revealed that
every effort made to draw the attention of the Federal Ministry of Health
to the issued have fallen on deaf ears.
A resident of one of the communities, who does not want to be identified
because he fears a reprisal from the owner of the farm said “We are
worried. We do not even allow our children to play outside anymore because
no one knows what can happen.
“Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health has no bothered to come here to
verify, neither has the Agric Ministry. This is why Otta Farms has not
bothered to act by doing what is required, which is to destroy the sick
birds.” The source said.
The strain on virus currently on the loose in Nigeria has not been proven
to cross to human but residents said it is a risk they are not willing to
take.
According to Dotun Jimoh who works in one of the farm units, he said Baba
has practically abandoned the farm due to his busy political undertakings
in and out of the country, a situation which has forced many workers in
the farm particularly the veterinary section to get themselves engaged
with other life endeavour to help their families while the birds are left
at the mercy of whatever thing that comes their way.