Business
Prices Of Vegetables Soar In Enugu
Prices of fresh pepper and
other vegetables have soared in markets in Enugu State by more than 100 per cent as the consumers complain of poor cash flow.
Some of the dealers who spoke with journalists in Enugu last Thursday attributed the increase to the poor rainfall and the ongoing Ramadan fast by Muslims.
At Akwata Market, Mrs Felicia Olisa, a pepper seller, said she could only buy in buckets and sell to her customers rather than in baskets due to the high cost.
“For the past one week, I have been buying the pepper I sell to my customers in buckets because the price of a basket of it is outrageous.
“A basket now sells for N14,000 now as against N8,500 before the Ramadan,” she said.
An okro seller at Ogbete Main Market, Miss Ngozi Izuakor, told newsmen that the product had been scarce, making it difficult for the sellers to purchase large quantities.
“I could not buy and sell Okro on Tuesday due its scarcity and increase in price,” Izuakor said.
She said that a basket of okro now sold at N6,000 as against N2,500 before the Ramadan fast.
Izuakor said that the fasting affected the prices of many foodstuffs, especially those produced in the northern parts of the country.
A tomato dealer, Sani Alhassan, said a basket of tomato had increased to N26, 000 as against between N18,000 and N20,000 sold two weeks ago.
Some consumers told journalists that it was difficult to buy a small quantity of foodstuff like fresh pepper, tomatoes or okro at such a high price.
A house wife, Mrs Udoka Nwachukwu, complained of lack of money to buy foodstuffs due to the economic situation in the country.
Nwachukwu noted that the prices of both goods and services had increased and people were finding it difficult to survive.
“We cannot buy foodstuffs in retail due to its high price. The worst hit are the ingredients for soup and stew. People are resorting to alternatives to meet up,” she said.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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