Nigerians are grappling with increasing hardships, and foodstuff transporters under the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) have warned that food prices will soar in December.
In an interview with Vanguard, the National President of AUFCDN, Mohammed Tahir, attributed the rising costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, coupled with daily extortion and double taxation on federal highways, as key factors affecting foodstuff transporters.
“Each trailer-load of rice, beans, corn, and other commodities from Sokoto to Port Harcourt costs N2.25 million. The same amount is spent to transport goods to other parts of the South,” Tahir explained.
He cautioned that food prices would continue to rise as the Christmas season approaches, exacerbating the already dire situation for Nigerians. “The price increase will continue into the New Year,” he added.
The escalating transportation costs are further worsened by double taxation, with local and state government revenue collectors, security agencies, and street extortionists setting up roadblocks, and additional market fees.
Regions such as the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West have been especially problematic, with reports of harassment and even physical assault of drivers and motorboys.
Tahir expressed frustration over the government’s lack of engagement with foodstuff transporters, despite their crucial role in the nation’s food supply. “We have not received any invitation to discuss our challenges as major stakeholders in the food system,” he lamented.
Many union members have stopped transporting foodstuff due to the soaring costs of business. “How they are surviving is another issue,” Tahir remarked. “There has been no intervention for foodstuff transporters by any administration.”
Despite these significant challenges, Tahir stressed that the union does not want to resort to a strike, fully aware of the consequences it would have on vulnerable Nigerians.
“If we stop transporting foodstuff, it would paralyze the entire country,” he warned, urging the government to intervene urgently to ease their burden and ensure the continued flow of food supplies.
