Kehinde Fajobi
Nigerians may face soaring food prices in December as foodstuff transporters under the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) cite rising transportation costs and extortion as critical issues.
Speaking to Vanguard, AUFCDN National President Mohammed Tahir attributed the hike to skyrocketing diesel and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, as well as double taxation and extortion on highways.
“Each trailer-load of rice, beans, corn, and other commodities from Sokoto to Port Harcourt costs ₦2.25 million. The same amount is spent to transport goods to other parts of the South,” Tahir said.
He warned that the situation would worsen during the festive season, adding, “The price increase will continue into the New Year.”
Tahir highlighted the challenges transporters face, including roadblocks manned by local and state revenue officials, harassment from security agencies and “agberos” (street extortionists), and additional market fees.
He pointed out that these issues are particularly severe in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West.
“There have been cases where our drivers and motor-boys were beaten and harassed,” Tahir said, expressing frustration over the government’s lack of engagement with foodstuff transporters.
“We have not received any invitation to discuss our challenges as major stakeholders in the food system,” he lamented.
Many union members have halted operations due to unsustainable costs.
“How they are surviving is another issue,” Tahir stated, noting that no administration has ever intervened to support foodstuff transporters.
Despite these difficulties, Tahir emphasised the union’s reluctance to strike, aware of the devastating effect it would have on Nigerians.
“If we stop transporting foodstuff, it would paralyse the entire country,” he warned.
He called on the government to urgently address these challenges to ease the burden on transporters and ensure steady food supplies during the festive season.