Traders in some markets in Enugu last Tuesday, lamented the low patronage of their wares as many residents left for their villages for the New Year holiday.

A survey of the markets by our correspondent revealed that some of the traders had yet to record any sales as at noon while the market authorities had mandated the markets to close at 2 p.m.

A dealer on ladies materials at the Ogbete Main Market, Mr Emmanuel Ogbodo, told our correspondent that a few customers visited his shop but that none of them made a purchase.

A foodstuff seller at the Artisan Market, Mrs Margaret Umeh,  lamented that she had not made any sales since morning due to the mass exodus of the city dwellers to the villages.

She also said that she had a short time to spend in the market as the authorities had mandated all shops to be closed at 2 p.m.

“We were asked to leave the market once it is 2 p.m and I have not sold anything, which is too bad for me,” she said.

Mohammed Sani, who deals on sunshades, said that since the Christmas day, people no longer patronise his shop as before.

Mrs Nkechi Onyeka, who runs a restaurant at the Ogbete Main Market, said she anticipated low patronage since the market was billed to close early.

According to her, she decided to cook little for the few customers who would come to eat.

A Chicken seller at Kenyatta Market, Mr Chukwudi Eze, complained that in spite of the reduction in the price of chickens, buyers were not forthcoming.

Also in the market, a hair stylist, Mr Edwin Amah, said he was happy at the turn out in his saloon as ladies who had various functions to attend flocked his saloon.

However, one of the shoppers told our correspondent that she was not happy that the markets were being forced to close early.

Mrs Ifeoma Okafor decried the short time allowed for the markets to be open and said that it would rob many people the opportunity to buy their supply for the holiday.

Another shopper, Mr Sunday Ubochi, spotted buying some baby’s items, said that the order was normal.

“It is a tradition in Enugu for markets to close for safety purpose.

“It has been the tradition of the markets to operate in this manner during any Christmas period for safety of people’s goods and property,” he said.