The Federal Government’s restriction on fish imports is causing a lot of hardship for sellers and consumers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as prices of this main source of essential protein for the people have gone up almost beyond their reach. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.
These are hard times for residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital who have had to go without fish in their diet for some time now due to a sudden sharp increase in the prices of the food item, which serves as their major source of protein.
When they first noticed the price increase about four months ago, most residents, especially housewives thought it was temporary, probably caused by unscrupulous traders, who created artificial scarcity to force the price up. But they were wrong, the price hike seems to be here to stay as the prices have continued to soar reaching an all time high
A carton of sardine fish that used to sell for between N3,000 to N4,000 few months ago now sells for N9,000, while a packet of mackerel fish sold at N5,000 not too long ago now sells for N8,000. Also, a sizeable mackerel fish that sold for N150 before the hike is now N300, while one sardine fish which was formerly sold at N90 is now N150.
The development has left both the sellers and buyers lamenting, wondering what has happened to the only commodity described as the “poor man’s food.” And they are worried that in the absence of fish in their diet, what becomes of the common man, who could not afford beef or goat meat.
There were very few traders, who could afford to sell the commodity, while many consumers seeking to buy fish could not buy them because they could not afford the price.
At the various markets visited in Ibadan and environs, many consumers could not explain the reasons for the increase in the price. At Dugbe, Oje, Bodija, Apata, Omi-Adio and Mokola, Ibadan markets the situation was the same. Those who have great taste for fish were found groaning and lamenting the situation.
In fact, not even some fish depot operators could adduce reasons for the price increase which has caused many fish traders to abandon the once bubbling business. It took them up to one month before they learnt of a government restriction on fish import, which explains the scarcity and the attendant price increase.
Initially, there was mass protest in Ibadan among fish sellers against the import restriction. This was later followed by a strike action which lasted for about three weeks, without drawing the sympathy of people in the corridors of power.
Noticing that their protests have fallen on deaf ears, the aggrieved traders after some time decided to call off their strike when they could not sustain the action and went back to their shops.
Describing the situation as unacceptable, one of the leaders of fish traders in Ibadan, Mrs Serifatu Oladimeji, who has her shop at Omi-Adio market said, it took the traders weeks before they were informed that there was restriction on fish importation into the country.
“Such uninformed decision by the government was not only wrongly conceived, but the way it was planned was also wrong. I felt we are the stakeholders I mean the traders, the people, the consumers and the depot operators and so on.
“Before implementing such a policy, the government should ensure that all stakeholders were carried along. Besides, before restricting the importation of such an essential commodity, the government should have thought of a possible replacement or an alternative to cushion the effect on the consuming populace. It shows the kind of leaders that we have at the helm of affairs. Are they really responsible to the people, and whose interest are they even protecting?” Mrs Afolabi Abosede, a consumer asked.
In her argument, Mrs Sariyu Bolaji, another fish seller at Omi-Adio market described the restriction as anti-people, noting that such a staple diet common among the poor should not be restricted at all no matter what it takes the government. She said since the crisis in the fish industry, many Nigerians hardly eat food with anything because they cannot afford to buy meat.
“You know, our common food here in Yorubaland is Amala (yam powder), Lafun (cassava powder) and Iyan (pounded yam). And we can’t eat this without a good soup cooked with fish because that is what majority can afford.
“And when there is fish in the soup our belief is that we have a complete diet and good food. Although, we can add ponmo (cow skin) if we like, but fish is what majority will not do without,” she said.
Another fish seller Mrs Sadia Wasiu, appealed to the Federal Government to reverse its decision on the restriction, adding, that Nigeria was not ripe for such an action.
Sadia further called for government incentives for local fish producers so that there will be enough local production before placing restriction on fish import.
At an interactive session with some stakeholders last week in Abuja, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, defended government’s decision on fish import, stating that Nigeria spends an estimated N125.38billion on fish importation annually.
The minister, who promised to reposition the fishery sector with a view to achieving fish sufficiency said that current situation in the sector is totally unacceptable.
“Nigeria spends an estimated N125.38 billion importing fish every year,” the minister said.
He further explained that total demand for fish in Nigeria is 2.7million MT but Nigeria is producing about 800,000 MT locally with the deficit of 1.9million MT being met by imports.
