Traders in Bodija and
Gbagi markets of Ibadan, Oyo State, have complained about the unusual low patronage by customers during and after the Eid-el-Fitri festvial.
Our correspondent in Ibadan, who visited the markets recently, reports that prices of many commodities recorded only marginal increase due to the low patronage.
A trader at the Alehsinloye market, who simply gave his name as Abdul, said that the non-payment of workers’ salaries had resulted in business losses as patronage was on the downward swing.
He said: “There has been a lull in business and this has also affected my credit facility.
“This year has been really disappointing because this is not what we had bargained for.
“People who were supposed to buy from us were those who became victims of the unpaid salary controversy and this has been bad for business,’’ he said.
A butcher, Mr Muhammed Kazeem, said that the low patronage was unusual during a festive period like the Eid-el-fitri.
“Usually, I am able to sell off all my meat less than four hours of getting into the market.
“But these days, hardly will I be able to sell off all the meat before going home for the day,’’ he said.
Mrs Nike Adegboyega, who sells tomato at Bodija market, said traders had to reduce the price of tomatoes so that it would be affordable.