Papao Road and the Cost of Neglect: When a Once-Hidden Poultry Farm Becomes a Public Concern
By Alhaji Dantata, AKA The Political Reality
As recently as early 2025, one could travel along Papao Road without any clear indication that a poultry farm was operating in the area. In fact, it took deliberate effort to even notice the presence of the National Service Authority (NSA) poultry facility. What was previously a facility that blended quietly into the surroundings now overwhelms the area with terrible odor, prompting serious questions about recent developments and the response from authorities.
Today, the situation is markedly different. The offensive odour now announces the farm’s presence from an estimated 300 metres away, lingering heavily in the air and affecting motorists, pedestrians, and nearby residents.
Such a rapid deterioration does not occur in isolation. Poultry operations are highly dependent on strict environmental and operational controls. Lapses in waste and manure management, drainage systems, stocking density, ventilation, sanitation schedules, or overall biosecurity can, within a short period, transform a well-managed facility into a serious environmental nuisance.
The scale and persistence of the odour suggest that one or more of these critical controls may have broken down.
The development naturally raises questions about oversight and accountability. With a new Director-General at the National Service Authority, public attention is turning to whether this situation has been formally identified and what remedial measures are being implemented.
Publicly managed agricultural projects must not only be productive; they must also comply with environmental health standards and respect the wellbeing of surrounding communities.
This issue has moved beyond mere discomfort. It speaks to environmental management, public health, and institutional responsibility. The expectation is straightforward: determine what changed between early 2025 and now, correct the operational failures, and restore conditions to acceptable standards.
Failure to act decisively will only prolong the nuisance and further undermine public confidence in the stewardship of public assets.
