Douala V authorities wage war against pig rearing in the municipality
The Divisional Officer (DO) for Douala V sub-division, Cletus Asongwe, has launched a clean up operation targeting pig farmers in the municipality. The operation which began on March 22, 2023 stems from complaints from locals who say are unable to breathe properly because of the stench emanating from pig farms.
“We decided to launch this operation following many complaints from surrounding residents who said they are sick and tired of inhaling the odour from the pig fences in their compounds. When we descended to the field, we discovered that pigs were not only reared in fences but also in kitchens, rooms and toilets. They take care of these pigs more than the little children we met in their homes. We want to stop this insanitary activity in our municipality,” the DO explained.
The operation carried out with the collaboration of the Douala V council will continue across the municipality till further notice. One of the objectives is to keep the population healthy.
“With such a nasty activity and the behaviour of some residents, how will people not contract cholera especially when it rains? This operation is very imperative at this time of the rainy season,” the Mayor of the Douala V council said.
During day 1 of the operation, average pigs and piglets were seized and taken away in vehicles.
“The pigs we have and will still seize will be auctioned to the public or taken to orphanages for the underprivileged children,” the D.O further explained.
It was also an occasion for the Douala administrative authorities to sensitize the population and caution them to stop rearing pigs.
“Apart from fighting against urban disorder and poor sanitation, to keep our municipality orderly, clean and healthy we want to make sure locals are sensitized on the dangers of their insanitary activities. This March 22 has been a day of grace. From the next day, we will proceed with the arrest of persons who will be caught rearing pigs in the municipality,” the DO added.
Considering the clustered nature of houses, the Douala V authorities expect those rearing pigs to stop carrying out the activity for the sake of their health or rear them far away from areas inhabited by humans.
