Traders Express Fatigue as Prices Skyrocket, Bemoan Dwindling Patronage

Traders at the Rumuokoro Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have voiced their grievances over the steep increase in commodity prices, leading to a slowdown in sales.

During a market survey conducted by Kristina Reports at the bustling Rumuokoro Market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, traders shared their struggles in coping with the surge in prices.

Sanctus, popularly known as ‘Oga Junior’ in the market, lamented that frequent price hikes by distributors have significantly impacted sales, expressing frustration over the challenge of restocking his shop due to the high cost of goods.

“The price of things now, everyday you will go to the market and the distributor keeps on increasing it, it is really affecting us as a seller in the market because in a day, like yesterday, something that I bought for like N12,500, this morning before I came here the supplier now told me that it is N12,800, the increment is high and then when you finish selling it, for you to get the capital and restock your shop is not easy.”

“Nigerians are not going for luxury products, they are going for products that are very cheap in the market. So, when they come to the market, they will look for something that is very cheap considering their income and the price they are getting it.”

“So, it is really hard. Okay, look at this Rumuokoro market, it is a market that when you come, you hardly see space, most times people will be blocking everywhere with their cars moving in and out to shop but now you can stay for hours without any customer.”

Joy Echendu echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the strain caused by the escalating prices of essential commodities like garri, pleading for government intervention to alleviate the burden on traders.

“This garri wey I dey sell, the thing dey worry me well well o. Based on Benue people, everyday wey be market day, Benue people dey increase their market, dey increase their garri, when you buy half bag N35,000 this week by next week market day again them don put am extra N5,000 that’s N40,000, so when you come carry am come here e don high, e dey worry me o.”

“As I dey here, I no dey see gain, I just dey sell this thing small small so that when the garri come down, I fit dey see my one one naira gain, but as I dey now no gain ooo, make government help us go tell Benue people to stop that thing wey them dey do, that thing wey them.”

“Dey do no go, as I dey here I no fit buy rice, even this tomatoes woman tell her say make she give me credit later I pay am, she no go gree, but I dey do business, me I don tire, we don tire, make government help us, carry price of things down, garri, rice, plantain, tomatoes, gbogbotigbo, everything too cost, me I don tire.”

Ifeanyi Chukwu, a foodstuff trader, shared his ordeal of grappling with the economic challenges resulting from the soaring prices. He urged the government to intervene and find a solution that would benefit citizens.

“The economy dey affect us in a way that if you go market today buy market at a cheaper rate, the money you use buy that market will be times 2, even the money wey you use dey buy 10 bags before, you no fit use am buy 5 bags, the thing is really affecting us.”

“The government should help us, you fit come sometimes in a day you cannot sell anything, nobody is buying, they are hungry everywhere they will tell you no money. We call on the government to help us and resolve this issue in a pleasant way that will favour the citizens.”.

Kristina Reports compiled a list of price increases, revealing shocking escalations in the costs of rice, garri, vegetable oil, beans, and other essential items which is as follows:

A bag of rice previously sold at N40,000 to N50,000 is now N80,000 to N94,000 depending on the type of rice while half bag of local rice previously sold at N17,000 is now N34,000 which still depends on its type.

Custard of garri previously sold at N1,400 is now N2,200, 5 litres of Kings oil previously sold at N7,500 is now N12,500, A custard of beans was N2,500, now sold at N4,500.

Price of fare is also as follows: