Following the outbreak of
Lassa fever in Rivers State, roadside food vendors have been lamenting over poor sales in recent times.
The food vendors, who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt at the weekend said since the announcement of the Lassa fever, there had been drastic decrease in the number of customers that patronise them.
According to them, customers are afraid of contracting the fever, which is caused by rats.
Although the food sellers claimed that they are very cautious of their environment while preparing food for their customers, assuring that they would maintain 100 per cent cleanliness while serving the public.
They further assured their customers that they gave them the best services and quality food and that they should not be afraid of any Lassa fever contracting, calling for their full patronage.
Madam Rose Nkanem, popularly called Mama Otu that sells fried foods along Victoria Street in Port Harcourt main town said “it is true. We have lost some customers since the announcement of the Lassa fever but I am sure with the current news that it had been contained, I think customers will start coming again.”
Nkanem further noted that the situation was worse when the outbreak was first announced, but that there is gradual improvement on sales, as she could not disclosed how the sales was and now.
A fruit seller, Kelechi Ada Nwoka, also lamented that the poor sales had been affecting her market as people are afraid of the unknown as a result of the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
She noted that since the announcement, customers interest to buy fruits on the road side had been reduced, but that she hoped that it will improve soon.
Another fruit seller, Glory Ozioma said she prepares her market in a very decent sanitary condition that rats will never temper with, assuring customers not to be afraid in patronising her.
Carina Ogolo, who operates an eatery also lamented over poor sales since the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state and that she was optimistic that there would be improvement.
Ogolo noted that although it is true some ‘Mama put’ joints are not decent with their food items and called on government to carry out unscheduled visit to restaurants and roadside eateries to ascertain their sanitary condition as a way of checking the spread of Lassa fever in the state.
A petty trader, Igoni Tamunosiki said despite the outbreak of Lassa fever caused by rats, her customers still patronise her and she also maintains high level of sanitation where she stores her foot stuffs.
Tamunosiki, however, called on other petty and roadside traders to imbibe good sanitation so as to help government fight the menace of Lassa fever in the state.

Collins Barasimeye