Hair stylists in Abuja recently complained of low patronage as Nigerians celebrated Easter..

Our correspondent reports that in some parts of Abuja, many salons had unusually few customers, compared to the situation in the past when people prepared for major festivals, such as Easter and Christmas.

At Karu, a satellite community, people in the salons visited said  that the low patronage was as a result of the harsh economic condition in the country.

A stylist, Mr Smart Gonlega, who identified himself as a Ghanaian, said there had been low patronage at the salon since the partial removal of fuel subsidy by the government.

“Our customers are not really coming, you can see for yourself that the shop is scanty and we are less busy unlike in previous years.

“Last year I can remember that by this time, we opened for business as early as 6a.m. and closed as late as midnight, but this is not the case this year,” Gonlega said.

He said during festive periods, he usually employed more hands to help so that all customers would be attended to swiftly to decongest the salon.

A customer in Gonlega’s salon Mrs Roseline Anyacha, said she would have made her hair a long time ago but had to postpone it because she had no money for a hairdo.

A housewife, Anyacha, added that she could not bring her three daughters to the salon because of the “economic situation in the country, instead I take them to a local stylist operating in our area”.

Another stylist, Mrs Kate Kiga, who owns a salon in Kubwa, expressed disappointment over the low patronage.

“I have been in this business for the past 10 years but I think this year is the worst in terms of business boom.

“We are supposed to be very busy by now. If it were other times, like last year, for instance, I could not have had time to speak with you but things have turned out differently today,’’ she said .

Kiga attributed the low patronage to the harsh economic situation in the country as well as the sudden increase in the prices of salon consumables which led to increases in services.

Another stylist, Mrs Victoria Ugah, who operates in Wuse, said she had no cause to complain because she enjoyed the same level of patronage as in the past.

“My customers are coming as usual, I have no reason to complain as lack of money or not is not affecting my business. We are doing our work well and happy,’’ she said.

Ugahat tributed low patronage in some salons to greed by salon owners “because they give preferential treatment to some customers and charge extra during festive periods because of the rush.

“I treat my customers well; I am consistent in my prices during and after festivities,’’ the stylist said.

The Chairperson of Hairstylists Association, Nyanya Branch, Mrs Mercy Udoh, blamed the low patronage on some stylists, who increased the cost of their services.

Meanwhile, Mr Albert Bolaji, who lives in Lugbe, said that he usually gave his wife and two daughters money to make their hairs when necessary to make them look good and beautiful.

“The hardship in the country cannot stop me from taking very good care of my family because they are my joy.

“Every Easter and Christmas celebrations I make sure my family is well taken care of, I cannot joke with their welfare,’’ he said.