Association Seeks Government Support To Boost Cow Business

The National Director Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, has called on the federal, state and local governments to support the association nationwide for enhanced delivery.

The Director made the call while lamenting over the activities of touts, who according to him, mount roadblocks to extort money from cattle traders.

Sidikki, who disclosed this in an interview with Voice of Nigeria at Amansea, Awka North Council Area, Anambra State, expressed displeasure over the incident, noting that if not addressed, it could affect the health of many Nigerians due to various benefits of cow meat.

According to him, the cost of transporting one full load of cows in a lorry from any part of Northern Nigeria to the southeast, south-west and south-south has increased astronomically to between ₦500,000 to ₦800,000 because of the subsidy removal and illegal activities of touts.

“Subsidy removal is affecting all of us. Another one is the activities of touts who are mounting roadblocks all over the states we drive through from the North to the South. Some community people are always coming out to block our vehicles and demand money from us before we can pass. Sometimes you have to pay about ₦500,000, ₦600,000 or even ₦800,000 as the cost of transporting just one full load of cows.

“We are calling on the federal, state and local governments, and other relevant authorities to step in to drive the touts away because it is affecting our business badly. This has led to an increase in the cost price of cows in the market. People are finding it difficult to buy meat because of this. Denying Nigerians the benefits will surely affect the health of the citizenry,” he said.

Alhaji Sidikki, who is also the leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State, further commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his counterparts from Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States for providing an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive, as well as for improved security during the just concluded Eid Al-Adha celebrations.

He also urged his members to remain law abiding and establish good relationships with the indigenes.

Emmanuel Ukoh