It is undeniable the fact that Naira is speedily gaining its weight against dollars, yet food stuff in Nigerian markets are still arbitrarily increasing every day. Our correspondent STELLAMARIESAMUWA, joined the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on a
fact finding to one of the biggest markets close to Federal Capital Territory, Masaka Market in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State to verify the arbitrary increases in the prices of food stuff by traders.
Masaka Market is one of the best open market to shop in bulk for some Civil Servants living in FCT because agricultural produce are displayed in larger quantities there, and affordable compared to buying in smaller quantities inside Abuja markets
According to the fact finding mission which held over the weekend and was led by the Director, Surveillance and Investigations in FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka.
Mrs. Adeyinka said the move was part of the Commission’s food price campaign towards addressing the exorbitant prices of commodities despite the reduction in the exchange rate.
“The Commission will come up with an accurate report and advise the Federal Government on how the issue can be addressed”
While speaking to the Market Unions and Associations against forming cartel by embarking on arbitrary increase in the prices of goods most especially food items and other consumables, Mrs. Adeyinka reiterated the determination of FCCPC towards protecting the consumers from extortion and other market irregularities in the country.
She explained that the exercise would be carried out in other open markets nationwide.
Meanwhile, on his part, the Chairman of the Market Association, Mr Danlami Gimba attributed multiple taxation, increase in fuel pump price and transportation as some of the major factors responsible for the high in prices of goods in the market.
Gimba also commended FCCPC for the fact findings while appealing to the Federal Government to consider reduction in fuel pump price towards ensuring reduction in prices of commodities in the market.
The traders in the market kept hope alife as they chanted in unison that Federal Government should come to their aid as the suffering is becoming too to bear.
A secondhand clothes seller (thrift), Ifeanyi Chigbue, father of five children who are all students said, ” I have made it known to everyone in my house that once you eat breakfast and go to school you don’t expect lunch until its time for dinner. I can no longer provide 3 meals per day. My wife sells pepper and tomatoes and her profits each market day is not up to two thousand Naira. So where do I get money to feed and also pay school fees.
A Maize seller, Esther Ajah, a mother of 7 children said since the Federal Government removed subsidy which resulted to increase in fuel price, transportating their goods from one place to another, made prices of foodstuff to increase.
She said transporters charge N5,000 per bag from Niger State compared to before when it was N2,500 that is why they also increased their wares in the market .
“We hardly get customers these days because alot of them are complaining that the goods are too expensive,” she said
According to Esther, customers hardly come to buy from her so she finds it difficult to survive with her children as her husband is a driver who hardly make ends meet.
Again she called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the hike of fuel because is causing hardship for them .
Another trader, Faith Audu stated that different factors like multiple taxation from the market associations, high cost of transportation and insecurity has contributing to the rise in the cost of food products.
Faith noted that these factors have kept the prices of most commodities rising with little or no alternative while the consumer bears the burden.
However, some traders lamented the extortion and double taxation in the market by market associations executives. Mama Lucy in her words “They collect more than four different types of taxes from us every day apart from the monthly dues, how do we get our capital and also make profits to take care of our families”.
It must be noted that food is essential in human life and when it becomes too expensive for an average man to afford then we have calamity looming.
Govt Agencies Ought To Work: FCCPC sets the pace
It is undeniable the fact that Naira is speedily gaining its weight against dollars, yet food stuff in Nigerian markets are still arbitrarily increasing every day. Our correspondent STELLAMARIESAMUWA, joined the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on a
fact finding to one of the biggest markets close to Federal Capital Territory, Masaka Market in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State to verify the arbitrary increases in the prices of food stuff by traders.
Masaka Market is one of the best open market to shop in bulk for some Civil Servants living in FCT because agricultural produce are displayed in larger quantities there, and affordable compared to buying in smaller quantities inside Abuja markets
According to the fact finding mission which held over the weekend and was led by the Director, Surveillance and Investigations in FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka.
Mrs. Adeyinka said the move was part of the Commission’s food price campaign towards addressing the exorbitant prices of commodities despite the reduction in the exchange rate.
“The Commission will come up with an accurate report and advise the Federal Government on how the issue can be addressed”
While speaking to the Market Unions and Associations against forming cartel by embarking on arbitrary increase in the prices of goods most especially food items and other consumables, Mrs. Adeyinka reiterated the determination of FCCPC towards protecting the consumers from extortion and other market irregularities in the country.
She explained that the exercise would be carried out in other open markets nationwide.
Meanwhile, on his part, the Chairman of the Market Association, Mr Danlami Gimba attributed multiple taxation, increase in fuel pump price and transportation as some of the major factors responsible for the high in prices of goods in the market.
Gimba also commended FCCPC for the fact findings while appealing to the Federal Government to consider reduction in fuel pump price towards ensuring reduction in prices of commodities in the market.
The traders in the market kept hope alife as they chanted in unison that Federal Government should come to their aid as the suffering is becoming too to bear.
A secondhand clothes seller (thrift), Ifeanyi Chigbue, father of five children who are all students said, ” I have made it known to everyone in my house that once you eat breakfast and go to school you don’t expect lunch until its time for dinner. I can no longer provide 3 meals per day. My wife sells pepper and tomatoes and her profits each market day is not up to two thousand Naira. So where do I get money to feed and also pay school fees.
A Maize seller, Esther Ajah, a mother of 7 children said since the Federal Government removed subsidy which resulted to increase in fuel price, transportating their goods from one place to another, made prices of foodstuff to increase.
She said transporters charge N5,000 per bag from Niger State compared to before when it was N2,500 that is why they also increased their wares in the market .
“We hardly get customers these days because alot of them are complaining that the goods are too expensive,” she said
According to Esther, customers hardly come to buy from her so she finds it difficult to survive with her children as her husband is a driver who hardly make ends meet.
Again she called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the hike of fuel because is causing hardship for them .
Another trader, Faith Audu stated that different factors like multiple taxation from the market associations, high cost of transportation and insecurity has contributing to the rise in the cost of food products.
Faith noted that these factors have kept the prices of most commodities rising with little or no alternative while the consumer bears the burden.
However, some traders lamented the extortion and double taxation in the market by market associations executives. Mama Lucy in her words “They collect more than four different types of taxes from us every day apart from the monthly dues, how do we get our capital and also make profits to take care of our families”.
It must be noted that food is essential in human life and when it becomes too expensive for an average man to afford then we have calamity looming.
