Yulitide: Kano Residents Decry High Cost of Food items
CHAIRMAN DAWANAU INTERNATIONAL MARKET GRAIN SELLERS ASSOCIATION ALHAJI MUSTAPHA YUSUF MAIKALWA
By Khadija Aliyu
Few days to the annual Christmas and New Year celebrations,many families risk celebrating in hardship due to the hike in the prices of goods and services.
Radio Nigeria’s correspondent in Kano Khadijah Aliyu takes a looks and files in a special report.
To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Christian faithfuls across the globe celebrate Christmas on December 25th annually, with friends and families.
However, few days Christmas celebration,the prices of essential commodities have continued to rise out of the reach of the common man.
Nigerians preparing for Christmas, have lamented the high cost of food items and transportation.
Some Kano residents who spoke to Radio Nigeria Israel Jurdima and Enrita Damina said, they would celebrate the day with what they could afford.
They explained that, the economic realities on ground may hinder the major symbol Christmas was known for, which was sharing gifts and food with family and loved ones.
“The increase in transportation has led to an increase in price of goods and services ,people will only use what is available and not what they need,we urge government to have a price policy control and other policies aimed at regulating and reducing suffering of the masses”
The chairman Dawanau international market grain sellers association,Alhaji Mustapha Yusuf Maikalwa spoke extensively on the current situation at the market.
He explained that,a bag of local rice is sold at 100 thousand,beans 60 -63 thousand,maize has increased from 38 to 43-45 thousand naira.
“Even though people are patronizing our goods,there’s a decline in the quantity of commodities purchased”
“There’ s a decline in patronage compared to last year,high cost of transportation has contributed to low sales”
Alhaji Mustapha hinted that,customers are reluctant in visiting markets due to the high cost of transportation ,as they prefer patronizing kiosks and street markets within their domain.
He appealed to government to put modalities in place, by providing subsidized fertiliser,seeds and adequate security for farmers.
