The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiga, has decried the existence of 700 checkpoints where truck drivers conveying agricultural products are forced to pay an average of N1.2 million per trip, hence the high cost of meat in the market.
The minister, who was one of the guest speakers at the Daily Trust’s 22nd Annual Dialogue in Abuja, also attributed the high cost of meat in the market to the extortionate checkpoints manned by both state and non-state actors.
“Our people who transport cows have to pass through about 700 checkpoints manned by state and non-state actors. The drivers are paying an average of N1.2 million as they travel from one part of the country to another, which will be transferred on the goods they are carrying.”
He called on the responsible government authorities to dismantle the checkpoints, particularly those created by non-state actors.
“We are calling on the responsible government authorities to rise to this occasion by dismantling these checkpoints, especially those created by non-state actors on the road to make food available and affordable for Nigerians.”
Ibrahim said so much efforts have been put in place to make food available to Nigerians.
He cited flooding in some parts of the country, and even the Russian /Ukraine war that has affected food prices globally as another part of the challenges. “As the population continues to grow, Nigeria needs to do more including tackling insecurity to be able to provide food for its population.”
Ibrahim, who said Brazil is now a force in food production, tasked the Federal Government to adopt some of the models used abroad.
He also said Nigerians should be tired of saying the country has potential, stressing that it was time to activate that potential.
The minister said agriculture policies should address the issue where people produce for only family consumption with little to sell. He said there was a need to change the way we do things in the agricultural sector for us to get a different outcome.
Speaking in the same vein, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, alleged that the Anchor Borrower programme of the previous administration failed due to corruption.
The Sun
