The protest was also staged because of the N1,000 compulsory tax imposed on the butchers on each cow slaughtered for marketing.
Several anti-riot policemen were sighted at the abattoir located along Ado –Iworoko road, as they had already closed down the place and were stationed around the facility in order to compel the butchers to comply with the new tax regime.
Apart from the new tax of N1,000, up from N300 per cow, the butchers also informed that they are paying veterinary tax, inspection rate and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) levy.
The protest was led by the chairman of butchers association in Ado Ekiti local government, Alhaji Mustapha Kareem, the protesters held leaves and chanted war songs, but they were resisted by the policemen when they stormed the abattoir as early as 6.30 am, who prevented them from gaining entrance into the facility.
They vowed to force the place open tomorrow and slaughter cows if government fails to accede to their demands, Thisday reports.
Kareem disclosed that they had met with Governor Fayose on the issue where they suggested to the governor that the fee be reduced to N500, which according to Kareem, the governor declined.
He said: “This new tax will kill our business and it will affect the masses because there will be no meat in the market. Can you imagine that if we are paying N1,000 per cow, the least our members will be paying each month is N26,000 and this is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, following Governor Fayose’s public announcement about the demolition of the Erekesan market in Ado-Ekiti, around 2,000 traders rushed to meet the deadline.
The demolition of the popular market also known as Oja-Oba or King’s market is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 8.
The market, located directly opposite the palace of the traditional ruler in Ado-Ekiti, will be replaced with a modern one according to the state government.
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