Food, cattle dealers threaten to stop supply to South-East, South-South

The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AFCON), has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over alleged illegal roadblocks and multiple taxation on its members.

National President of the union, Muhammed Tahir, stated this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting in Abuja.

The union went on a strike in March following similar allegations, including extortion of her members and attacks of its members in some parts of the country.

Tahir said that after reviewing the issues, AFCON resolved to throw her weight behind the Onion Union, which had commenced cutting off supply to the southern part of the country due to the same issues.

He, therefore, said that the union would cut the supply of food nationwide if the government failed to meet its demands within three weeks.

The legal adviser to the union, Magama Saleh, said the government must do the needful to avert cutting down of food supply across the country.

“This is an emergency meeting in regards to what is happening to our members in the South-East and South-South. This is also to brief our members nationwide on the aftermath of the three-month strike.

“Today’s resolution is that we are declaring support to the various unions under the umbrella of the amalgamated union.

“The onion association embarked on a strike last night and only to the south. And as a national union, we have discussed extensively and have resolved to support them on their industrial action.

“We have written a reminder letter to the federal government through the ministry concerned and security agencies reminding them of their previous promises to the union.

“They are yet to do anything concerning it. If nothing is done within three weeks, we may be forced to sit and have another resolution,” he said.