The current recession has no doubt affected the prices of commodities, particularly those consumed by average Nigerians. Traders and buyers in Ikorodu and its environs have equally have their own share of the unfavourable economic condition.
Oriwu Sun in its quest to know how the economic hardship is affecting the people, and its environs recently visited some notable markets across the division. The research started at Sabo market, where some traders and buyers spoke with our reporters on how much the economic situation as affected them.
Mr. Ifeanyi, a food seller in Sabo market, in his own reaction, said that “patronage has reduced compared to what we have before the beginning of this current administration.” He alleged that few businessmen buy and store the foodstuff in large quantity, pending the time the border is closed. And then inflate the prices of the goods.
Another seller in the market Mrs. AbidemiOdugboya who specializes in the sale of groundnut oil and palm oil in the market said buyers complain of inadequate funds to buy goods, in the market. She refuted allegations from some quarters that traders entragiously inflate prices of foodstuffs, saying “we sale goods based on the prices we bought it, from our suppliers.”
Mrs. Khadijat Hassan a foodstuff seller in the market on her part commended the people for still patronizing traders at the face of this economic meltdown.
Mrs. Grace a buyer at the market has urged the federal government to come to the rescue of the people. She said prices of foodstuff are outrageously high compare to the income of an average Nigerian. She implore the government to do everything within its power to savage the situation.
At Allison market, Mrs. TawaBanjoko a fish seller in her reaction said that “We do not have enough capital to do business any longer.” She claimed, she now borrow to stay in business and that it is always difficult to payback because the prices of goods are increasing on daily basis.
Mrs. Esther Adisa who sells tomatoes and pepper at the market said patronage has remain the same. She said it is so because the people have no choice than to buy the commodities. She urged the government to make life comfortable for the common man.
Mrs. AlabiFolashade a buyer at the market on her part said foodstuffs has been increasing on a daily basis to her surprise. She claimed that money for the upkeep of the family can no longer buy anything reasonable in the market. She urged the federal government to please intervene in this problem.
Traders at the Laketu market are not left out in the cry of low patronage. Mrs. Gloria a foodstuff seller at the market, said people no longer patronize her like before. She said the low patronage has led to reduction in her income. She said she can no larger take care of her responsibility effectively.
She implore the federal government to please save the masses from hunger and pain.
Mr. Austine who sells foodstuffs at the market on his part commend the people for their endurance and doggedness in the face of this economic meltdown. He said the people should be praise for still buying commodity at high prices. He said that “though patronage has reduce the people should be commended.”
Mrs. Habeedah a buyer at the market urged the federal government to please reduce cost of foodstuff in the interest of the masses.
At Agric market, sellers who spoke with our reporters were all calling on the government to please bring back the good old days. Where they have enough capitals to do business and not borrowing to stay in business. They urged the Buhari led federal government to fulfil their electioneering promises to the people.
A buyer at the market said this was not what they voted for. He urged the government to save the masses from hunger and poverty.
“Patronage has remain the same moreover the prices of tomatoes and pepper just reduce compare to what we have some few weeks back.” Those were the woods of Mrs. Mudashiru a pepper seller at the flour market popularly known as small Mile 12, Flower market at Odogunyan road.
IyaIbeji, a buyer at the market said she make little gain on the tomatoes and pepper she buys and resell in bit at home. She claimed her customers complain bitterly at the quantity she sales for N100. She implore the government to reduce cost of foodstuff in the markets.
Mrs. IsiakaAdebola a palm oil supplier at Odogunyan market said the price of palm oil is fluctuating. She said the price has reduce a bit compare to what was obtainable in the previous week. She enjoined the government to please come to the rescue of the masses.
Mr. Ikechukwu, a foodstuff seller at the market urged the government to quickly intervene in the hike in prices of foodstuffs. He said food is a necessity in the life of a man and that the work a man does is commensurate to the food eatern.
AlhajaQuadri, a frozen fish and turkey seller at the market blamed the increase on the prices of frozen foods on the exchange rate of naira to C.F.A.
She said the reduction in Naira value in world market is the source of the increase of the commodity.
She said the commodity are imported and not locally produce. And that the price could only reduce if the government find solution to naira fall at the international market.
Mr. Chukwuma, a buyer at the market said the income of an average Nigerian can no longer feeds him and his family. He urged the government to increase the income of its workers and create employment opportunity for the unemployed.
A trader at the Igbogbo market on her part said that “we have adopt to the reduction in patronage since there is nothing we could do about it.”
She call for quick intervention by the government.
Mr. Wale a buyer at the market said this is the time to be prudent with none income. He urged people to go for necessity rather than want.