Maiduguri Residents Attribute Food Price To COVID-19, Cost Of Transport

The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected business transaction as well as the cost of commodities and other essentials as prices continue to increase since the lockdown period due to cost of transportation, bans and other factors. 

Marketers in Maiduguri, however, expressed displeasure over the flaring economy which has twined prices of commodities and the recent increase on tariffs in an interview with Campus Reporter.

Speaking to CAMPUS REPORTER, Adamu Danladi a cosmetician at Monday market Maiduguri said the economy has affected businesses by drawing things backwards. He said products obtained at the rate N15,000 is now N21,000 to N22,000, adding that the way they use to buy products has drastically changed.

Adam Alhaji Garba, a provisions seller says the price increment is not their fault, explaining: “We buy things from companies and we sell out the way we buy.”

A bread producer who pled anonymity also said that the 20% increment on every loaf was a result of the economy’s backslide and the price increase of flour and other ingredients.

Similarly, Mohammed Musa, a butcher at the Monday market said the economy has greatly affected his business. He made an emphasis on the cost of big cattle, which increased from N200,000 to N400,000 and N450,000.

While Abdulsalam Zakiru, a foodstuff seller, says with the economy’s state, buyers are complaining as if we the sellers are the one hiking the prices not knowing that we bought them at an expensive rate. And, if one bought something expensive, he cannot sell it at a cheaper rate.

The interviewees indicated that the flaring economy has drastically affected the market.

Prices Of Some Commodities As At September 2020