Lagos — Cattle dealers in the country said they lose about N5.5billion to multiple taxation every year.

Secretary of the Cattle DealersAssociation, Agege Abattoir, Alhaji Rabiu Wasagu, said unbearabletax system accounts for the high prices of meat and other food items in thecountry.

The association, which is joining the ongoing strike in thecountry, which also include all raw food vendors nationwide, is pressing forthe abolition of multiple taxation that its members have been subjected to overthe years.

Wasagu said three states, including Lagos,Ogun and Oyo have refused to eradicate the indiscriminate taxation even after acourt order had restrained them. "The way things are going, all these itemswill continue to be expensive in these parts of the country if nothing is doneabout the unjust tax system.

The problem is that government officials come withall sorts of levies and harass our members. Some of our members have been subjected to undue torturewhile bringing goods down from the north, while others have been robbed of millions of naira during their journey. All these account for the high cost offood items in the country."

Chairman of Cattle Dealers Association in Lagos, Alhaji Audu Kalla, while corroborating the secretary's submission said a lot of their members have ran into debt as a result of the unbearable situation.

"We are asking the masses to bear with us in this ongoing struggle as their interest is being put into consideration." Leader of the Isheri Cattle Market and Seriki Hausawa, Alhaji Mohammadu Basi, on his part said "we are withdrawing all kinds of food items from the Nigerian market nationwide until the government of the three affected states accedeto our demands."

Babalola, the Seriki Kara, also commented on thesituation, saying a lot of their members have been forced out of businessas a result of the prevailing situation. Investigations carried out showed that prices of food itemshave began to soar as a result of the nationwide strike.