It’s a case of Nigeria happening to a business striving to survive. Its beyond a scare, its beyond understanding.
An Abuja poultry farmer, Bankole Akomolafe is reeling from a significant financial loss after the demolition of his farm, which wiped out an investment worth N150 million and resulted in the death of 5,000 birds. The farm owner expressed deep frustration over the unexpected action, claiming the demolition was carried out without prior notice or compensation.
“This is not just about the loss of money. It’s about livelihoods being destroyed without warning,” the farmer lamented.
According to him, years of hard work and investment were shattered in a matter of hours, leaving him with no path forward.
The owner shared that his poultry business had been a vital source of income for him, his workers, and the community. “We were not just raising birds; we were providing jobs and contributing to the local food supply chain,” he explained. The farmer also highlighted that the farm played a crucial role in meeting the demand for poultry in the area.
In addition to the financial loss, the farmer voiced concerns about the ripple effect of the demolition. He emphasized that the loss would not only impact his immediate family but also those who depended on his farm for employment and the broader community that benefited from affordable poultry products.
Bankole criticized the authorities for their lack of communication, stating that he was not given any warning before the demolition occurred.
“We should have been given a chance to salvage what we could, or at least relocate the birds,”
As he assesses the aftermath, the farmer is calling on the government for support and compensation, stressing the need for a more humane approach to handling demolitions that impact businesses. He hopes that the authorities will take steps to prevent similar losses for other farmers in the future.
