Chime, Deputy at war over poultry farm

OFFICIALS of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority and Ministry of Environment, yesterday, invaded the official lodge of the state deputy governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, and carted away over 3,000 chickens and about 40 crates of eggs from his poultry on the orders of the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo.

But Chief Press Secretary to governor, Chukwudi Achife, said it was regrettable that the deputy governor chose to ignore all entreaties, including a government directive, to relocate the birds, especially one that had to do with the health of the people.

The ECTDA and Environment Ministry officials, who were led by their commissioners, Messrs Ikechukwu Ugwuegede and Nnaemeka Chukwuone respectively, arrived the lodge at about 1p.m. yesterday to inform the deputy governor of the Chief of Staff’s order to evacuate the birds and demolish the poultry which the government said constituted public health hazard.

Deputy governor watches

Onyebuchi, who was with his wife and personal aides, including security officers attached to his office at the lodge which had been under renovation since September 2012, did not resist the action of the officials who later brought in four trucks and evacuated the chickens to an unknown destination.

When the government officials mobilised by the two commissioners could not evacuate the entire birds, Ugwuegede mobilised more uniformed officials of his ministry who spent about an hour evacuating the birds and the crates of eggs into the four trucks and took them away.
Government’s position

The statement read:  “In recent times, the stench from the poultry had been pervading the Government House and causing much discomfort to all workers within the Government House, including, of course, the governor.

“Following persistent complaints and appeals from staff of the government, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. GOC Ajah, was instructed to invite the Ministry of Environment and Government House clinic to inspect the poultry.

“Both the Ministry and Government House medical personnel came out with a verdict that the place was not being well kept and constituted a health hazard to people working in the Government House.

“Based on this report, the Permanent Secretary has, on a number of occasions, taken Government House staff to clean up the poultry.

“However, when the problem persisted, it was brought to the notice of the governor who then directed relevant government officers to communicate the health concerns to the the deputy governor with a view to having him maintain the place properly or relocate the birds.”

“The deputy governor did not comply with any of these directives after several correspondences, even as the stench from the poultry continued to assault people working in Government House.

“Government then directed the commissioners in charge of the Enugu Capital Territory and the Ministry of Environment to evacuate the birds to a safe place and clean up the place.

“It is regrettable that the deputy governor chose to ignore all entreaties, including government’s directive to relocate the birds, especially one that had to do with the health of the people.

“Government’s directive was carried out by officials of both ministries without incident. The birds were evacuated to a safe place and would be handed over to the deputy governor whenever and wherever he chooses.

“  It is important to also state that the deputy governor does not currently live in the premises as it is being renovated by the government.”

Deputy's Reactions

“The haste of the two letters shows a mind filled with malice and bent on making mischief, the two letters were delivered to His Excellency’s office, signed for and received on the same day, December 27, 2013.  One is a “Notice” and the other “Final Notice.

“His Excellency, the deputy governor also observed that your said letters are replete with falsehood.  The official residence of the deputy governor is part and parcel of Government House and no Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is, to the best of the knowledge of His Excellency, issued in respect of it.

“His Excellency challenges you to produce or at least cite its reference number since this is the basis of your action.  You may also consider revoking the said C of O.

“Just to put the records straight, His Excellency has asked me to inform you that the said poultry is operated within a section of the deputy governor’s residence designated and fenced out as Agriculture Unit – same as the Agric Unit of the Government House where a bigger poultry farm, a piggery and a ranch exist. His Excellency, the deputy governor operates a vegetable farm within that section and no mention was made to of it. Or, is “vegetable farm” within the purpose clause of the C of O?

“The structure for the said poultry farm was inherited by His Excellency from his predecessors in office who also used same for the same purpose. His Excellency has operated the same poultry farm since 2008 with technical support from ENADEP and Commercial Agriculture Programme of the State Ministry of Agriculture.

“There is no record of a letter from you to His Excellency, bringing to his attention, complaint of any environmental or health hazard from the said poultry since 2008. This is because there is none.

“The poultry is operated within the best international practices.  His Excellency’s members of staff are living in the Boy’s Quarter, just meters away from the poultry and they have not complained of any inconvenience since 2008.

“Finally, it is the advice of His Excellency that you do not allow the love of power to dominate the power of love.”

Government’s position
The statement read:  “In recent times, the stench from the poultry had been pervading the Government House and causing much discomfort to all workers within the Government House, including, of course, the governor.
“Following persistent complaints and appeals from staff of the government, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. GOC Ajah, was instructed to invite the Ministry of Environment and Government House clinic to inspect the poultry.
“Both the Ministry and Government House medical personnel came out with a verdict that the place was not being well kept and constituted a health hazard to people working in the Government House.
“Based on this report, the Permanent Secretary has, on a number of occasions, taken Government House staff to clean up the poultry.
“However, when the problem persisted, it was brought to the notice of the governor who then directed relevant government officers to communicate the health concerns to the the deputy governor with a view to having him maintain the place properly or relocate the birds.”
“The deputy governor did not comply with any of these directives after several correspondences, even as the stench from the poultry continued to assault people working in Government House.
“Government then directed the commissioners in charge of the Enugu Capital Territory and the Ministry of Environment to evacuate the birds to a safe place and clean up the place.
“It is regrettable that the deputy governor chose to ignore all entreaties, including government’s directive to relocate the birds, especially one that had to do with the health of the people.
“Government’s directive was carried out by officials of both ministries without incident. The birds were evacuated to a safe place and would be handed over to the deputy governor whenever and wherever he chooses.
“  It is important to also state that the deputy governor does not currently live in the premises as it is being renovated by the government.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/enugu-environment-ministry-invades-dep-govs-lodge/#sthash.ZAEXkMME.dpuf