…Calls on federal government to review the ban on the importation of maize
Enugu Poultry Association of Nigeria (ENUPAN) have accused Hon. Alex Ugwu, the Chairman of Enugu East local government area of “encouraging young men to make a living out of frustrating farmers” in the council.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu during a press conference, the association said their business is about to hit the ground as a result of the hostilities of their host communities.
They alleged that Enugu East local government under the current administration is “notorious for multiple taxation, extortion and multiple land charges using so many funny charges”.
Mr. Onu Izuolisa, the Chairman of the association described the situation as “painful” and wondered why this should be the case at this time the world is struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s painful to note that while poultry farmers were grappling with the huge negative impact of the lockdown necessitated by the COVID=19 pandemic, we had agencies of government especially the Enugu East LG storming our farms to harass and demand for several illegal levies and taxes.
“They break and destroy the Biosecurity of our farms, threaten and harass farm workers and owners and impound important farm equipment needed for daily operations,” Mr. Onu said stressing that these actions has “resulted in a number of mortalities” and total disruption of their farming activities.
They appealed to the governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to come to their rescue urgently and help in “putting an immediate stop to this illegal activities.”
Also, Mr. Onu decried the high cost of maize (that was N80,000/ton in February, 2020 presently over N200,000/ton)which they said, constitutes over 75% of their feed composition and called on the federal government to intervene immediately as the ugly situation threatens their industry.
“The present scarcity and high cost of maize is seriously threatening to collapse our industry. The industry may lose trillions of naira and millions of jobs if this negative trend is not addressed immediately.’
He also called on the federal government to review the ban on the importation of maize as it has also contributed to their misfortune as the country isn’t yet self sufficient in the production of the product.
They also requested that maize be released from the country’s grain reserve “to help cushion the rising cost while some importation is allowed.”
JOURNALIST101 recalls that at the peak of the outbreak of the pandemic, the poultry association donated 500 crates of egg, over 200kg of chicken and some medical equipment to Enugu state government for onward distribution to the members of the public.
