THE OFFICIAL CHOICE OF POVERTY: A SOUVENIR FROM ACHIDA MARKET I had a cause to visit Achida Cattle Market some 30 kilometres away from the historic city of Sokoto last Wednesday. Impressed by the population of cattle of every specie in the market, I snapped two photographs of the major species of Sokoto Gudale and Red Bororo attached to this update. To my surprise, as I discovered subsequently, the day was considered far from ideal in terms of the number of cattle as it was in weeks immediately after Sallah where sellers bring few cattles in anticipation of low buyers turn out. Markets like Achida abound in Sokoto and neighbouring states of Kebbi and Zamfara: Shinkafi, Kasawar Daji, Talata Mafara, Jangebe, Nasarawa, Dodori etc. What is lacking however is the BEEF PROCESSING PLANTS that are supposed to add value to these resources and REDUCE POVERTY and UNEMPLOYMENT that are at an alarming rate in these three states. The choice of taking the animals live to the southern part of the country is primitive as it is economically illogical. SALLAH EVE (JAJIBIR) Imagine if everyday is jajibir with people on the look out for butchers that will help prepare the hundreds of bulls and cows that are slaughtered in preparation for Eidel - Fitr and Eid el - Kabir. Count the millions that are spent in such a day for the purpose. This is exactly what we are loosing of employment and income on daily basis by deciding not to have industries for beef processing like the one I have attached to this post (Credit: agribeef Co) around Achida and related cattle markets. The excuses of power for refrigeration and related energy needs are but the likes we always receive from leaders that have been spoilt by allocation from oil money. The more I look at this alternative, the more I conclude that the pandemic of poverty around the states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara (in each of which I have critical stake) is by official choice born out of the ignorance or selfishness of the ruling class.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:38:00 +0000
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