Nigerians should brace for a sharp rise in food prices this December, as the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) warns of skyrocketing transportation costs. Mohammed Tahir, AUFCDN’s National President, attributed the price hike to the rising costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, alongside widespread extortion and double taxation on highways.
Tahir revealed that transporting a trailer-load of staples like rice, beans, and corn from Sokoto to Port Harcourt now costs N2.25 million, with similar expenses incurred for deliveries to southern regions. “These transportation costs will inevitably push food prices higher during the Christmas season and into the New Year,” he cautioned, adding to the financial strain already faced by Nigerians.
Double taxation and extortion at roadblocks set up by local governments, security agencies, and street operatives, known as “agberos,” exacerbate the crisis. Tahir noted that foodstuff transporters frequently face harassment and violence, particularly in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West.
Despite the challenges, Tahir lamented the lack of government intervention or dialogue to address the transporters’ plight. “We have not been engaged as critical stakeholders in the food system,” he said, highlighting the absence of support from any administration. The burdens have forced many union members to stop transporting goods entirely, further straining the nation’s food supply chain.
While the union has refrained from striking to avoid worsening the crisis, Tahir warned that a halt in food transportation would cripple the country. He called on the government to take immediate action to reduce transportation costs, curb extortion, and ensure a steady flow of food supplies to mitigate the impact on Nigerians.
