The Ogun chapter of National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has raised an alarm over the persistent extortion of money from its members while transporting cashew nuts within the state.
The Consultant on Special Duties for NCAN in Ogun, Mr Taiwo Akinlabi during a news conference on Monday in Abeokuta called for government intervention.
He stated that cashew traders were being subjected to multiple illegal levies at numerous roadblocks by security agencies, government officials and community groups.
Akinlabi said the illegal levies being collected from them was making business operations difficult and costly.
“Ogun State produced approximately 9,500 metric tonnes of cashew nuts in the past year, contributing significantly to the local and national economy through tax payments and export levies.
“But in spite of these legitimate contributions, merchants face relentless demands for unofficial payments while moving goods from farms to warehouses.
“Our members are being forced to cough out different amounts of money.
“This depends on the tonnage of the cashew, the mood of those manning the road blocks and check-points which they have turned to business centres, or the negotiating power of drivers conveying the goods,” he stated.
The Consultant described the situation along the Ilara–Imeko, Obada-Olorunda–Ayetoro–Abeokuta Rounder road as particularly alarming, with about 43 roadblocks set up by various agencies,
He claimed that the roadblocks included 15 by the Police, three by the Nigerian Army, 19 by Nigeria Customs, two by Immigration and two by Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
“For example, a truck driver moving 30 tons of cashew from Ilara in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of the state through Abeokuta to a warehouse in Lagos state will have to part way with N600,000 to N650,000 at the multiple checkpoints and roadblocks,” Akinlabi explained.
The NCAN official also alleged that several groups involved in the alleged extortion included the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army,
“Among others are the officials of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, the Parks and Garages Development Board, local government task forces, and state ministries responsible for environment, commerce and transport,” he claimed.
The association also accused some community development associations (CDAs) of demanding illegal fees.
Akinlabi claimed that refusal to comply with the illegal payments usually led to unnecessary delays, intimidation and even threats to personal safety.
He said the situation was not only hurting their business but also a contradiction of Federal Government’s push for agricultural development and economic growth.
“We are calling for urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities to put an end to the harassment and extortion.
“Cashew is not a contraband or smuggled product. Save our business from collapsing because of extortion.
“We are begging the relevant authorities to look into this problem and put a stop to the trend because extortion is adding to the high cost of transportation of cashew.
“It is also reducing our production capacity and many of our members can no longer supply directly to international companies in Lagos and other neighbouring states.
“If the situation persists, many cashew merchants may be forced out of business, which would affect job creation, foreign exchange earnings and the overall agricultural sector in Ogun.
“Enough is enough, we cannot continue to work to feed illegal tax collectors on the roads.
“Let the relevant authorities rescue us from extortion that is killing our business so that we can prosper and contribute our quota to national development,” the NCAN official said.
NAN
