By Rukayat Abdulraheem, Toyosi Kareem, Lawrence Okedare and Haliru Idris
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appealed to the Kwara State Government to as a matter of urgency intervene in the closure of all cattle markets in the seven Local Government Areas across Kwara South Senatorial District.
The closure of cattle markets was announced on Friday by the seven local government chairmen in Kwara South Senatorial District. The chairmen hinged their decision on heightened security concerns in the area.
According to a statement issued in Ilorin, the Kwara State chapter of MACBAN through its Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Garba, described the closure as hasty and without proper consultation with stakeholders such as traditional rulers, market leaders and traders.
“The proposed closure of cattle markets in Kwara South by the local government chairmen without the knowledge of traditional rulers, leaders and operators is not justified.
“Decisions like this require wide consultations to carry everyone concerned along.”
Garba noted that traders were not informed before the closure with many of them arriving at the markets with their goods before finding out, adding that the indefinite closure could worsen the already difficult economic situation for families in the affected communities and beyond.
“Closing the cattle markets without prior notice at this time will cripple businesses and add to the economic challenges affecting families in the locality, the state and the country in general,” he said.
MACBAN appealed to the Kwara State Government to prevail on the chairmen of Ifelodun, Isin, Irepodun, Offa, Ekiti, Oke-Ero and Oyun Local Government Areas to reverse the closure order in the interest of fairness and justice.
