The national director (Administration), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, Friday, lamented over the activities of touts, who according to him, mounts roadblocks to extorts from cattle traders.
Sidikki, who disclosed this in an interview with Blueprint at Amansea, Awka North Council Area, Anambra state, expressed displeasure over the incident, noting that the incident if not addressed, could affect the health of many Nigerians due to various benefits of cow meat.
According to him, cost of transporting one full load of cows in a lorry from any part of the Northern Nigeria to the South has increased astronomically to between ₦500,000 to ₦800,000 because of the subsidy removal and illegal activities of touts.
“Subsidy removal is affecting all of us. Another one is activities of touts who are mounting road blocks all over the States we drive through from the North to South. Some community people are always coming out to block our vehicle and demand money from us before we can pass. Sometimes you have to pay about ₦500,000, ₦600,000 or even ₦800,000 as cost of transporting just one full load of cows.
“We are calling on the federal, States and local governments, and other relevant authorities to step in to chase the touts away because it is affecting our business very bad. This has led to increase in cost price of cows in the market. People are finding it difficult to buy meat and eat because of this. Denying Nigerians the benefits will surely affect the health of the citizenry,” he added.
Sidikki, who is also the leader of Fulani in Anambra state, commended governor Chukwuma Soludo and his counterparts from Enugu, Abịa, Ebonyi and Imo states for providing enabling environments for their businesses to thrive , as well as for improved security during the just concluded Eide-El-kabir celebrations.
