There are strong indications that many Nigerians might go to bed hungry on Sallah Day, Post-Nigeria’s investigation has revealed.
It could be recalled, that since the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, most of his administrative policies on the economy have proved counterproductive, as they have subjected more Nigerians to severe hardship.
A market survey carried out by our correspondent, who visited Suleja (Niger State), Madalla (Niger State), Zuba (Abuja), and Gwarimpa (Abuja) markets, showed that the prices of staple foods across board have increased by over a 100 percent, as most Nigerians no longer have the purchasing power to buy essential goods and services.
In Suleja Market, Mallam Musa Usman, a food stuff dealer, who spoke exclusively to Post-Nigeria, and almost shed tears, decried that the economic situation in the country has severely affected his business, with most of his food items now staying several months without patronage.
Asked on his preparedness for the sallah celebration, he said, “As it is now, most of my Muslim brothers might wake up and go to bed hungry on Sallah day”.
“I am confused, we don’t know where we are going, the level of poverty in the country has increased, as most civil servants, both at the Local, State and Federal levels have not been paid, that is why we are having low patronage.”
A bag of Thailand rice, according to him, is N18,000 as against N14,000, while its Indian counterpart is N16,000 as against N14,000.
Post-Nigeria further gathered, that the price of sugar, flour, tin tomatoes, wheat, corn and millet, have also gone up by over a 100 percent.
In Madalla, Zuba, and Gwarimpa markets, a small basket of fresh tomatoes, now goes between N600 – N800, as against N300, fresh pepper of the same size, goes for N500 against N250, onions is sold at N1,300 per basket, as against N500, while 5 tubers of yam go for N1,100, against N700.
A tear of brown beans, goes for N450 against N220, its white variety goes for N400 against N180, while white and red garri are sold between N200 -N250 against N150 – N180 a tear.
Also, the prices of ram in the market as at Thursday, range from N18,000 – N150,000, depending on the size.
In Gwarimpa, it ranges from N35,000 – N200,000, as most of the sellers complained of low patronage which has become a huge burden on them.
Although, the price of ram did not shoot up from our survey, however, what most of the sellers complained of, was the low patronage, despite its cheaper rate.
The Secretary, Ram Sellers Association of Nigeria, Madalla Branch, Alhaji shehu Saleh, while reacting to the whole scenario, said: “As you can see, things are no longer what they used to be, people are facing difficulties, due to the harsh economic environment.
“Few years back, people come here to buy 5, 10, 20, 50 and 200 rams at a time for themselves, extended family, and for their community members.“By this time last 2 years, you will see politicians of different cadre, such as Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, Ministers, Governor’s Delegates, trooping here, buying rams in large quantity, which they get to distribute to those who contributed in voting them to power, but as at today, we are yet to see them.“Most of my members are already discouraged in the business, due to that fact that they took loans from the bank to purchase these livestock in large quantity and now, people are not patronizing them, the banks might soon start coming after them, as they will not be able to raise capital to pay back.“For now, our experience here is that most civil servants are coming to ask for ram on credit, of which I have made it clear that we cannot sell without physical cash.“I can feel their pain, most of them are been owed 4-5 months salaries, but what can we do?” Saleh asked.
The Secretary speaking further, called on President Buhari to immediately reshuffle his cabinet, as according to him, most of the Ministers do no know their job description.
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