Sylhet state-run poultry farm in shabby state
Nasir Uddin recently went to the government's livestock department's poultry farm office in Tilaghar of Sylhet city to purchase some ducklings.
As soon as the poultry farmer of Chandpur village, near Hakaluki haor, entered the compound through the worn-out gate, he was nearly consumed by an eerie feeling by looking at the almost bleak surrounding.
Eeriness soon turned to anxiety once he stepped inside the duck-shed. The one-story building was not only missing almost half of its corrugated tin-roof, but also the remaining ones were rusty and crumpled. There were also several cracks on the walls.
“When I entered the building, I got scared, it felt like the building might collapse,” said Nasir.
Not only Nasir, but most of the farmers also feel the same, since the 17 buildings inside the compound are in dilapidated conditions.
Though the buildings have been declared risky and unfit in a recent inspection, offices are still being held there.
The buildings might collapse anytime, feared the officials concerned, adding that they have no other options as alternatives have not been arranged.
They said the number of purchasers have dropped significantly due to safety concern.
The buildings are: one office building, one rest house, seven quarters, five chick-shed and three duckling-shed.
During a visit, several cracks were found on the buildings' ceilings and walls. Plasters were seen falling off the walls, most of the tin-shed of the poultry farms were missing, while water kept on dripping from the ceilings. There were large patches of rust on the doors and windows due to lack of maintenance.
“Often, we need to inspect the chicks, which require time. But I am too afraid to stay inside the building,” said Moniruzzaman of Fenchuganj who came to buy some baby chickens.
Ranjit Ghosh, sub-assistant engineer of District Artificial Insemination Centre, said, “After a recent inspection we declared the buildings unfit, since they were too derelict. There is no alternative to constructing new ones.”
Most of the buildings were constructed back in 1947 and no repair work has been done since then, said Md Kamruzzaman, assistant director of the poultry farm in Sylhet, adding that they had requested the regional office for reconstruction but to no avail.
“We are also reeling from manpower crisis. Our duckling section has been closed. This department was built to help the poor to put an end to their struggle. But we are the ones who are struggling for survival.”
“We have sent the list of the 17 buildings to the regional office in Chittagong. Hopefully they will take necessary steps soon,” he said.
Contacted, Dr Nurul Amin, deputy director of regional government poultry farm in Chittagong, said, “I know about the condition of the Sylhet office buildings. We are coming up with a plan to repair and if needed build new buildings.”
“We have also sent the list to the ministry concerned,” he added.
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