'Fish Price Hike Imminent'

[Richard Akindele]

Prices of fish may hit the rooftops in Lagos, following a one - week warning strike embarked upon by cold room operators in the state yesterday.

The operators, coming together under the aegis of Fish Dealers Association of Nigeria (FIDAN), said the strike was to protest the high cost of the product in the country.

FIDAN chairman, Lateefat Atoyebi, speaking in Lagos, regretted that most of her members have been closing shops, following the refusal of agents and retailers to patronize them.

According to her, the development is not unconnected with the high cost of fish from importers who sell to her members at exorbitant prices, even as she said that a packet of imported fish was hitherto sold for between N1, 300 and N1, 800, depending on the specie, last year, now costs between N3, 300 and N3,800.

The FIDAN chairman noted that a meeting held with the Association of Fish Importers Association of Nigeria (AFIN), on the development, did not produce any satisfactory response as the outcome of the parley did not address the problems of the operators.

Atoyebi alleged that rather than tackle the high cost, the importers have resorted to establishing their own cold rooms and engaging in retailing activities.

Also speaking on the issue, the chairperson of the association of fish retailers, Agege branch, Mrs. Olayinka Sulaiman, said that most people now buy the cheapest specie of fish in the market as a result of the high cost.

According to her, there is a plan by her members to start demonstrating in major markets in the state to draw the attention of government to their plight.

The General Secretary of AFIN, Mr. Amos Iwari, could not be reached, but an official of the association said the price increase was not caused by the importers, noting that it was a manifestation of the economic situation, especially payment of import duties and other fees to government pointing out that the warning strike embarked upon by the dealers was a blackmail because some of their colleagues were not participating in the exercise.
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