6 Southern states dismiss food blockade as northern food dealers insist on strike

Six governors from Southern Nigeria have reacted and dismissed the bluff of farmers from the North who have agreed to halt the supplies of cattle and foodstuffs to the South.

The states include; Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Enugu, and Ondo.

The states believe the blockade will give an opportunity to boost their food and animal production capacity, according to The Punch.

Recall that cattle and foodstuff dealers under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria on Thursday, February 25, stopped food supplies to the south.

They said they were embarking on strike due to the federal government’s failure to meet their demands, which include payment of compensation for the destruction of lives and property during the #EndSARS protest and the recent ethnic crisis in the Shasha market in Ibadan, Legit.ng reports.

To enforce the strike, the union’s task force prevented the members the transporting livestock and food from the north to the southern part of the country.

The union insisted that it had not called off the strike.

Akin Olotu, the senior special assistant to the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on agriculture and agric business, described the blockade as a good development.

He said it was an eye-opener to utilize opportunities the south had in agriculture.

In its own reaction, the Delta state government said the blockade did not represent the unity of Nigeria.

The state government, however, said it has been intensifying efforts in encouraging local food production.

Also reacting, the Cross River state government said the blockade won't last forever, adding that the blockade will eventually hurt the farmers especially those producing perishable goods.

The Akwa Ibom state government said it is working on ensuring that 80% of what was consumed was produced in the state just as the Enugu state government said it would ensure the state is sufficient in food production in the nearest future.

On its part, the Lagos state government said it has not been officially informed of any decision to withdraw supplies to the state.

The Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, also said the state was not feeling any effect of food shortage.

Nevertheless, Omotosho said Lagos is already preparing for the future in terms of food production.

Nigerians react:

Collins Chukwu commented on Facebook: "If truly this is a strike against the federal government, why did they target the southerners. Two things I see in this action: 1. Is a reprisal protest against the south over the quit notice given to herdsmen. 2. They fulani leadership in Nigeria wants to use it to force Nigerians give fulanis lands to settle as being presented to the NASS"

Segun Medaiyese said: "This has further corroborated my claims that one of the greatest reasons why our states are doing so poorly is overdependence on Federal Allocation."Give some of these states six months notice to cut off Federal Allocation and you would see them making frantic efforts at upping their IGR."No man can be completely independent but sometimes over depending on people and systems is the greatest disservice to freedom. It makes you neglect your potentials."

Ope Kehinde said: "...It a good move by the Northerners to stop bringing food to the South....let all our southwest governors come together allocate land in every state for farming, which can sustain all the southwest and Africa at large.... farming is the way to go.... no goods from the south should be sent to the north. this is indirect restructuring.. people that are backward are giving us a threat....we move"

Akintola Meephtaudeen said: "We cannot do without each other. Let us play endurance with LOVE. I come in peace!"

Forlahbee Ibrahim said: "I laugh in Spanish because I know cows that are being slaughtered in the south are up to 100,000 daily or more. Imagine that much income being lost in the north every day. Plus other food items. Cows would definitely outgrow the northern population in 10years if this continues. I just pity the businessmen and farmers over there."DSS invites cattle dealers