Abakaliki Rice Mill Shut Down As Traders Protest Over Taxation

Buying and selling at the popular Abakaliki Rice Mill was brought to a halt today when the traders, millers and workers of the mill protested against alleged multiple taxations and other ill-treatment meted on them by the leadership of the company.

The protesters who blocked the gates said multiple taxations in the Rice mill has driven customers away and called for an end to it.

They alleged that the sum of N370 is being collected from farmers per bag before they will bring their paddy rice into the mill for processing. They added that another N370 is also charged per bag before the rice is allowed to be taken after processing.

They maintained that the bag used for bagging after processing which is supposed to be sold for N150 goes for N300 in the company.

“Abakaliki rice mill since 1950 is a place where we feed the whole nation, but today, only one family is enjoying, nothing is moving fine here anymore because the mill has been in bad leadership”.

When contacted the caretaker Committee Chairman of the mill, Ogodo Samuele said the protesters were free to express their feelings.

“The most important thing is that it is being carried out within the frame of legality. People trying to express themselves while asking this and that, I don’t think that there is anything bad about it. Since we have not recorded any causalities or anybody hurt in any way. It is just a peaceful protest.

“One of the reasons according to sources is the issue of revenue that we are paying which is on the higher side, even though it is not true as the case may be, because every organization has a little token which is given to the government.

“Following the down of Nigeria economy, most states have fallen back on their IGR to provide the needs of the people and that is the area we are trying to make the necessary adjustment”.