OGOGORO (LOCAL GIN):TRADERS PROTEST BAN AND POLICE INTIMIDATION AND EXPLOITATION IN NIGERIA

 OGOGORO TRADERS PROTEST BAN AND POLICE INTIMIDATION AND EXPLOITATION YENAGOA — Ijaw Producers and distributors of Kaikai (local gin) on Friday blocked the Ijaw House axis of the Sani Abacha expressway in the heart of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in protest over the ban of the gin by the Federal Government.

 OGOGORO TRADERS PROTEST BAN AND POLICE INTIMIDATION AND EXPLOITATION YENAGOA — Ijaw Producers and distributors of Kaikai (local gin) on Friday blocked the Ijaw House axis of the Sani Abacha expressway in the heart of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in protest over the ban of the gin by the Federal Government.

The protesters who spoke to SAYELBATIMES.COM during a peaceful march under the auspices of a group, “Izon Otu Keniwemo Oru yeri ogbo” were armed with placards which read among others, “Police Stop harassing Ogogoro sellers in Bayelsa” Local Gin is not Federal Govt problem” “Kaikai does not kill, Bayelsa Police stop harassing Kaikai Sellers”, “We use Ogogoro to train our children in school, local gin didn’t kill, Gamalin 20 kill”, “Kaikai is use for medicinal purpose,” “Ogogoro is the only legitimate industry in Niger Delta, banning Ogogoro is like passing death sentence on us.”

But these woman want it banned as it makes their husbands impotent

Addressing the Protesters on the Sani Abacha expressway, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr Felix Tuodolo appealed to them to leave the road they had already occupied, to clear the traffic for commuters. In his words “I know the Economic impact of Ogogoro on our people. It is something our mothers have been using to train our children from time Immemorial. I know the impact on our economy that any ban, without proper investigation, will have on our people in terms of lost revenue. If Ogogoro is ban without proper investigation, the economic effect on our people will be much.”

The Commissioner also added “To place a blanket ban on all Ogogoro related activities without proper investigation will not be fair to our people. From the stories we’ve heard, I know that there is a source of contamination from somewhere. I am calling on NAFDAC to properly investigate that source and stop that source from production. So that this business that has empowered our people in several ways can continue.”

The Pioneer Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President also reminded the Public of previous similar cases of product contamination in Nigeria, such as the Beans Poisoning in Adamawa in 2011 that claimed two lives and the reports of Killer Indomie Noodles, which all did not warrant outright ban of the products. In those case, he noted, efforts were put into finding and stopping the sources of contamination. “I also recall that in 2011 two persons died from poisoned beans in Adamawa State. And beans was not banned totally. The source was soughted and stopped.

There was even a story about Indomie in 2004, so total blanket ban on Ogogoro is not fair to the Ijaw people. As a government, we will look into your plight. I will take it up with my Boss, the Governor, and the necessary Authorities. So that we will look into this matter properly; so that the good of our people is not affected.

The Restoration Government is a government of the people and we are here to protect your interest.” The Commissioner said. Motorists and commuters were stranded on the usually busy road for about fifty-five minutes until, Dr Tuodolo’s arrival to plead with the protesters to vacate the road for free flow of traffic.