Akwa Ibom traders accused of inflating foodstuff prices, government gives 31-day ultimatum
Traders in Akwa Ibom have been issued a 31-day ultimatum to reduce the market prices of foodstuff by the state government.
The traders have been accused of taking undue advantage of the tough economic situation in the country by increasing costs of foodstuff unjustly.
A letter issued by the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Traders’ Matters, Idorenyin Raphael, said that the state government would dissolve the leadership of any union that does not comply with the order within 31 days.
Mr Raphael also went on radio to say, “Garri is selling between N30,000 and N22,000 per bag in the state, but if you go outside Akwa Ibom garri it is sold between N18, 000 and N17, 000. The union doesn’t allow people who are not their members to sell garri in bags in the market.
“If you are not their member and you bring in bags of garri into the market, they will seize them from you.
“If you look at it, there are no Customs duties on garri, and garri is not purchased with dollars, so it is the union that is causing the price increase.
“We will not continue to fold our hands and watch them do this; the unions must give traders the free hand to sell their goods.
“Another example is the crayfish. If you travel to Aba (in Abia State) you’ll discover that the crayfish there are cheaper there than in Akwa Ibom, and the traders from Aba are buying from here. It is because of the union.”
