EID-EL-KABIR: LOKOJA RAM SELLERS LAMENT OVER LOW PATRONAGE .

EID-EL-KABIR: LOKOJA RAM SELLERS LAMENT OVER LOW PATRONAGE

Ram sellers in Lokoja on Tuesday expressed regrets about the low sale they had recorded, barely a week to the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Many ram selling points which include Okumi-Banda road and International market in Lokoja metropolis saw the presence of many rams that remain unsold for days.
Alhaji Bala Mohammad, who sells his rams at Okumi/Banda Road, told KOGIWATCH that the ram sellers had never had it so bad.
Mohammad, who came from Bauchi with rams, said he sold only five out of the 50 rams he brought to Lokoja two weeks ago.

“The economic situation has contributed to the low patronage and is affecting even our pockets.

“There is still hope, as the festival is one week from now, we pray to make some sales before then.

“Returning the animals to Bauchi will be a great loss to me because of the expenses involved, “ he said.

Mohammad said prices of the animals ranged from N25, 000 to N120, 000.

A Lokoja based ram dealer, Musa Audu Dankano, also blamed current economic recession as the main factor responsible for the low sales recorded so far.

“The present economic meltdown has now become a threat not only to ram sellers but also to entire business activities in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government should do something urgently to address the suffering of the masses.

“Although people want to buy rams for the festival, they cannot afford to, due to the prevailing economic situation in the country.”

Dankano, believed that the price may eventually crash as many traders would not want to return back with the animals.

According to him, some of the traders bought the rams from Niger Republic, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina States.

“But there is hope since we have one week before the celebration if all civil servants will have their salaries before Sallah.

“Noticing the current economic situation in the state, I have decided to give discount to my customers. A visit to my stand at Okumi-Banda livestock market will convince you,” Dankano assured.