How illegal levies, forceful membership of associations is fueling hike of food prices in A’Ibom
…As State Govt vows to deal with defaulters, issues N1.5bn interest-free loan to traders
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Investigations by Nigerian NewsDirect has revealed how illegal taxes and forceful membership of associations is fueling an increased hike of food prices in Akwa-Ibom.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the cost of food in Nigeria increased 40.66 percent in May of 2024 over the same month in the previous year, the highest on record, following a 40.53 percent surge in April.
In a survey by Nigerian NewsDirect, it was observed that due to the illegal levies, traders have no choice than to increase the price of Commodities in order to return home with little margins on the costs incurred.
Traders who spoke to NewsDirect accredited the high cost of food stuffs to market union activities saying, there is no free market activities.
“Trading in these markets is by registering and belonging to a union with a fee ranging from N120,000 to N150,000. Activities of these unions cut across every item in the markets; be it food stuff, detergents or household wares amongst others. And as a trader, you cannot come to the market everyday to sell except the unions assign you to do so.
“So, it was that bad,” President of Etaha Itam Market, Mr. Sunday Archibong, said.
Food items like garri go for five cups per N1,000, a cup of local rice N450, foreign rice N500, beans N500 a cup also, while a bag of 50 Kg local rice is sold at N70,000 and foreign at N80, 000 respectively, as observed during recent visits to some of the markets.
Some of the markets worse hit by the unnecessary levies are the major ones like Etaha Itam, Akon Andem, Okpokpo and Eniong markets in the metropolis.
Against this backdrop, the Akwa Ibom state government had earlier placed a ban against market associations.
The order followed frequent reports that, after the State government had disbanded market unions in all markets in the state, leaders of hitherto market unions were still operating illegally extorting unnecessary levies from other traders before they could be allowed to sell their wares or food stuffs.
Mrs Eno Isaiah, a trader, thanked Governor Eno for the ban but insisted that, Government should ensure surveillance to check some unscrupulous activities of unions.
Reacting to this, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade Matters, Mr Idorenyin Raphael has advised traders to report anybody found culpable to nearby police stations for immediate action.
Mr. Idorenyin Raphael, who spoke while on a tour of markets to ascertain adherence to the government directive with the State Market Monitoring Team said, the Akwa Ibom State Traders Association has commenced moves against forceful market unions in the state, in order to alleviate the sufferings of consumers in the state.
He said, no trader should be forced to belong to any market union, affirming that such an act is punishable by law.
“The leadership of Akwa Ibom State Traders had agreed that no one should be forced to be part of any union.This is because Pastor Umo Eno has seen that things are difficult already for anyone to be forced to join any group or market union,” he said.
According to him, “One month ago, a law was passed by the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Traders that unions should not force people to be part of them but one could join voluntarily.
“We came to confirm if such acts are still being carried out here. No one should be bullied, and if the bully is caught, such a person will be treated like a criminal.”
Mr. Raphael further stated that everyone has the right to sell their products in the market any day they choose to without restrictions, adding that, sharing of days for traders to sell in the market should be discontinued.
“There are no more regulated market days. Anyone has the right to bring anything to the market to sell. Bring your wares and come to the market any day you like.
“Nobody should stop you from selling any day you want to. Sellers are permitted to report such persons to the market president or the nearest police station.
“Governor Umo Eno does not want people to pass through added stress in these trying times. So, I urge everyone to abide by the rules of Akwa Ibom Market Association.”
The SSA also visited Akpan Andem market where he addressed traders on issues of multiple ticketing explaining that he was willing to work with the market management to cushion the effect of multiple ticketing at Akpan Andem.
“I have had complaints about tickets in the market. I will speak with the Local Government Chairman, as I don’t have the right to announce it now.
“Few months ago, we did so at Itam Market. Now if you go to Itam, every Friday is a free ticket day. So I will speak with the chairman to see the need to give traders a day too at Akpan Andem Market. I will also work with the market management and they will announce it soonest.”
He also announced that plans are underway by the State government to build an international market in Ikot Ekpene Township.
“One of the things Governor UMO ENO said during his one year in office is building an international market for Ikot Ekpene people.
“If you observe, Ikot Ekpene is very close to Aba and if they have an enabling environment, a lot of people will leave Aba and come to Ikot Ekpene to do business. So the State government has a good intention for the people and traders of Ikot Ekpene,” he said, adding that the N1.5 billion interest-free loan to traders with N500 million per the Senatorial district has been released.
He called on the traders to register their names at Ibom FADAMA Micro Finance Bank through their respective unions to get their share of the capital.
