Blockade: FG To Pay N4.75bn To Northern Food Dealers

The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers in Nigeria (AUFCDN) has agreed to pay the federal government N4.75 billion in exchange for the union suspending its North-South food blockade.

Following a meeting with federal authorities, represented by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, AUFCDN President Muhammad Tahir made the announcement in Abuja.

“In our nationwide strike, both stakeholders and representatives of the AUFCDN are pleased that we were able to achieve our goals. We decided to call off the nationwide strike today after Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello pleaded with us on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Read Also: JUST IN: Blockade On Food Supply To South Lifted

“They decided to pay the compensation and stop levying numerous taxes on federal highways, allowing us to conduct our business in peace across the country,” Mr. Tahir said.

Mr. Tahir told the Nation that Aso Villa had agreed to protect its representatives, avoid multiple taxes, and stop security agents from intimidating them on the roads.

Mr. Bello’s other requests, addressed to the government through Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the President’s Chief of Staff, include the security of the union’s members and the right to withdraw its services from states in the event of an attack.

The union had gone on an indefinite strike a few days ago in protest of the region’s loss of lives and property due to insecurity.

This comes after a series of violent ethnic clashes between Fulanis and Yorubas in Ibadan, the state capital of Oyo, and other parts of the Southwest.

Several reports surfaced last week claiming that trailers carrying cows, tomatoes, and other farm produce were being blocked from leaving a border town in Niger State for the south.

Farmers have repeatedly accused herders of damaging their farmlands and produce, but it is unclear how federal authorities plan to handle their concerns.