A few days to Eid El Kabir celebration, ram sellers in Jos, the Plateau State capital, are decrying low patronage as buyers say prices of the sacrificial animals are high.
Ram sellers at the Yanshanu Market in Jos North Local Government Area of the state said the business, this year, was not booming as buyers were not coming to buy the rams for Sallah festivities.
Although, ram markets across the country had witnessed low patronage previously, traders say the low patronage being experienced this year at the animal markets is the worst they have seen.
The traders also attribute the development largely to the fuel subsidy removal and the security challenges bedeviling the country.
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Muhammed Rabiu, General Secretary, Livestock Association, Jos North LGA and an animal dealer at the Yanshanu Market, explained the factors responsible for this development.
He said “We believe that there are factors responsible for the development. The recent fuel subsidy removal is one of the major factors because the effect touches everywhere. The current insecurity experienced in the country, especially between farmers and herders and the kidnapping activities are some of the factors. Nonpayment of June salary could also be responsible.”
Some buyers at the market also complained about hike in the price of the rams this year.
Bala Mika’il, a buyer, said: “We are at the market to buy the ram for the Sallah festivity but the price is high. The rams are untouchable because of their prices. I don’t know how to go about it.”
Ram dealers at the market said the low patronage being experienced in the market could improve if government pays June salary before Monday.
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