By Matthew Denis and Damilola Alamu
As Muslim faithful all over the world begin the annual Ramadan fast today (Monday), prices of commodities have skyrocketed in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, Pilot Business can report.
Findings by this medium showed that prices of foodstuffs, frozen foods, among other commodities, in some major markets across the metropolis.
When our reporters visited Obbo road, Yoruba road and Oja Tuntun it was observed that cost of rice, beans, catfish, potatoes, sugar and vegetable oil among others have gone up.
Some traders, who spoke to this medium said prices of some commodities went up few weeks ago.
The owner of Joyce provision shop at Obbo road, Mrs Folake Rejoice Abiodun stated that a bag of rice which used to go for N13,000, now cost N13,500, while a bowl which used to be sold for N450 now sell for N500.
She added that a tray of milk, which used to cost N4,000 now goes for N4,200, adding that the price of a bag of beans has increased from N35,000 to N44,000.
Alhaja Zainab Abdulqudus who sells foodstuffs said a 10kg Golden Penny Semovita which was sold for N2,800 now costs N2,900, with Milo refill of N900 now being sold for N950.
A meat seller, Ibrahim Danladi disclosed that a leg of cow which was sold for N25,000 has increased to N29,000.
A trader, Mrs Funke Ajayi said 25 litres of groundnut oil which was sold N10,200 few weeks ago, now goes fot N16,600, while palm oil which was sold for N8,500 per gallon, now sell for N10,500, with a bag of gari now N15,000 from N11,000.
A pepper seller, Mrs. Kudirat Yakub said a basket of Tomatoes which cost N4,000 before is now sold for N22,0000.
“A basket of pepper which we used to sell for N4,000 now cost N8,000, while a sack of onions sold for N8000 now goes for N11,000,” she added.
Also a catfish seller, who simply identified himself as Isaac, said one kilogram of fish, which was sold for N600 now go for N750, with a bowl of fish has gone up from N25,000 to N31,000.
A livestock trader, Alhaji Mohammed Ola said the price of chicken is within the range of N1,500 to N2,500, adding that though there was no hike in price patronage has been very low.
Bolanle Jamiu an Irish potatoes seller at Yoruba road said, “Before now a sack of potatoes was sold for between N15,000 to N16,000, but now we sell it for N23,000 to N25,000.
“The fact of the matter is that people are taking undue advantage of this fasting period because of the high demand of the commodity,” she added.
Mrs. Eunice Bamidele who sells yam tubers at Obbo road said, a tuber that was sold for N300 three weeks ago is now N450.
She blamed the development on hoarding by some traders for the purpose of making more profit during Ramadan period.
Abdulwahab said compared to last year, the prices of grains had substantially reduced, saying a bag of millet which was sold at N19,000 in the previous now sell within the range of N14,000 to N14,500.
A fruits seller, Usman Zubairu said oranges were a bit more expensive this year compared to last year.
He said a bag which was sold for N4,000 last year now goes for between N7, 500 to N8, 000.
However, a cross section of the traders who spoke to this medium expressed concern over the low patronage, thereby calling on government at all tiers to ensure prompt payment of salaries so more money to be in circulation.
