Snakes Invade S/East Agric Ministry Office as Weeds Take Over

The South-East Regional Office of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Enugu has fallen into a state of severe neglect, with overgrown bushes and snakes reportedly posing daily threats to workers.

A visit to the facility on Upper Presidential Road, Independence Layout, Enugu, on Wednesday revealed thick vegetation encroaching on the perimeter fence and surrounding areas, creating an unsafe environment for staff.

Employees who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation described the situation as both “terrifying and embarrassing” for a federal establishment.

“We have killed so many snakes here,” one staff member said. “Whenever we move around the premises, we are always on high alert. It’s abnormal to come to work in a ministry and spend the day watching out for snakes instead of focusing on your duties.”

According to staff, the problem has persisted for months without any intervention from the Zonal Directorate or the departments responsible for facility maintenance.

“I don’t know whether the Zonal Director has no allocation to clear these bushes. The place has been abandoned for too long. Snakes roam around openly. We fear someone may eventually get bitten,” another worker lamented.

Multiple employees confirmed that they have repeatedly lodged complaints internally, but no meaningful response has been given. Many now carry sticks when walking through the premises or avoid stepping outside their offices once it gets late.

“You cannot expect staff to come with cutlasses and hoes to clear federal government property,” one worker said. “This is not our responsibility. There should be contractors handling sanitation. It’s like they’ve forgotten this place exists.”

Staff warn that unless urgent measures are taken—either through emergency clearing of the bushes or a comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility—an accident is imminent.

“If nothing is done, one day you will hear that a staff member has been bitten by a snake,” an employee said. “We are pleading for intervention.”

The workers are calling on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture headquarters in Abuja, the Enugu State Government, and relevant environmental agencies to intervene immediately, noting that the office plays a critical role in agricultural development activities across the South-East region.

Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached by phone at the time of filing this report.