By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Traders and buyers alike, on Christmas Eve at popular Igbudu Market in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, displayed hostility and anger over lack of sales and poor purchasing power due to the current economic downturn in the country.
Stonix News reporter was not spared the vitriolic when she sought to know from the traders and buyers the cost of basic food items and the state of patronage.
As a result, only a few of them responded to her enquiries as they expressed anger and frustration over the hyper inflation in the country.
Notwithstanding, a survey carried out on the popular Igbudu Market in Warri on Christmas Eve showed the hike in prices of some foodstuff, describing some as ridiculous.
A live Chicken (Parent Cock, Boiler) that was sold for N8,000 and N3500 a week ago jumped to N12,000 and N4,500, respectively.
Also, basket of pepper that was sold for N7, 000 a week ago, was being sold for N9, 000; and 4 litres of vegetable oil that was N3, 000 last week was sold now N7, 000
Open Display Of Hostility, Angst At Warri Market Over High Cost Of Foodstuffs
However, speaking with one of the traders concerning the price of bags of rice and beans, Stonix News found out that the price of both foodstuffs had not changed within the week.
“Na only rice and beans price no change o. As at last week, a bag of foreign rice na N32,000 and naso we still dey sell am now,”she quipped in Warri Pidgin.
“The same goes for beans, and local rice. A bag of local rice na N25,000 and basket na N2,000; e never change,” another respondent, one Mrs Evelyn said.
Speaking with a buyer of vegetable oil, Miss Becky Okiovo, what her thoughts were about the incessant hike in the prices of foodstuffs during festive periods, she said it has always been in the behaviour of Nigerians to exploit people in every little opportunity.
“Traders of different markets from time immemorial are known for hiking the prices of foodstuff on Christmas Eve due to the large number of people who would be purchasing foodstuffs like rice, tomatoes, pepper, vegetable oil e.t.c in preparation for Christmas.
“That is why I would always say the problem of Nigeria is in Nigerians. Corruption is deeply rooted in the grassroots.
“Why increase the prices of foodstuffs because of Christmas and New Year, when they say it is a period of showing love?
“What love are you showing when you increase the price of rice and the poor is not able to afford it, but only the rich?
“Nigerians look for every little opportunity to exploit each other and later they will say it’s Buhari,” she lamented.
Efforts to find out prices of baskets of onions, tomatoes, beef and onions were unsuccessful as the frenzy ahead of today Christmas day increased, just as the traders remained hostile especially when they realised you weren’t prepared to patronise them.
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