GICUMBI- Byumba town’s abattoir poses a health hazard, residents of the town have complained.

Talking to The New Times, they said the abattoir’s soak pit emits an awful smell that covers the entire neighbourhood. The abattoir is adjacent to residential and commercial buildings.

"On Monday night, the pit was filled up and the sewage was overflowing into my house,” said Yoweri Nkunda, who owns a home near the abattoir. 

Nkunda said he reported the issue to the sector and district authorities, but nothing has been done to solve the problem.

"This problem has been ongoing for the last two years,” added Nkunda.

The abattoir’s is also adjacent to Giramata milk collection centre, where flies from the slaughter house could be seen all around the milk centre.

Byumba Sector Executive Secretary, Jean Marie Vianney Gahano, said that he raised the matter with district authorities, who promised to relocate the abattoir.

"The problem we have is lack of space to dig a sewage pit, as the abattoir’s is surrounded by many houses,” said Gahano.

The District urban development officer and coordinator of economic affairs,

Adeline Kanyamugenge, said a new abattoir is under construction in Nyarutarama cell, located in the outskirts of Byumba town.

"The abattoir is in its final stages and shall soon be officially inaugurated,” said Kanyamugenge.

The District head of infrastructure, Musa Nzabandora, promised to find a temporary remedy to the sewage problem as soon as he receives an official report from Byumba Sector authorities.

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