Anambra: Post-election riots: Goat meat scarcity worsens

Posted by admin Anambra, Elections 2011, State News Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

The political crisis in northern Nigeria is taking a huge toll on the lives of the residents of Onitsha.

Both consumers and traders in foodstuff that comes from the north are lamenting the drop in their businesses, as Hausa and Fulani traders that bring livestock to the state have stopped supply.

The Hausa traders, had gone into hiding after some irate youths last week vandalised and looted their shops in Onitsha.

The youths were apparently reacting to the attack on Igbo traders in some northern cities in the wake of the declaration of results of the presidential election.

The Hausa traders, numbering about 10,000 from Asaba and Onitsha had to seek refuge in military barracks in Onitsha.

The closure of the Hausa market adversely affected Easter celebrations in Anambra because many families could not purchase chicken, goat and beef to celebrate the festival.

Animal protein is primarily supplied from the north to the markets in the eastern parts of the country.

Easter celebrations in the state were generally low-keyed because of the high cost of chicken and goat, which used to be supplied by Hausa traders.

Mr. Boniface Nwaigwe, who deals in goat meat barbecue in Nkpor, said his business was suffering because he had not been able to purchase goat meat from Hausa traders since the impasse started.

He said where available, a goat costs about N27,000, instead of N15,000 that it used to be before the crisis.

He said he could not sell because to do so meant to run at a loss. He, therefore, urged the northern traders to return saying there was no threat to their lives.

-Punchwp_posts