From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Barely two days to the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir festival, many Muslim faithful may not be able to afford slaughtering a ram as demanded, because of the increase in prices of ram.
Investigation by Peoples Daily correspondent revealed that the price of ram in some places has tripled the usual price.
At the Zango market in Tudun Wada in Kaduna South Local Government Area, a disappointed Alhaji Umar Abubakar, said he has made up his mind to do away with slaughtering of ram, unless a miracle happens before the festival.
He informed this reporter that an average ram which usual sold for between N40,000 to N50,000 is now N70,000 – N100,000. This according to him is too much for a salary earner for him.
Similarly, Ibrahim Hasiru who spoke to our Reporter at the Durbar open ram market in Kaduna North LGA, said the price of r this year is, ‘Something else’. He said it became worsen with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ram sellers are also groaning because of low patronage as people shun them.
When asked why the sudden rise in the price of ram, Sarki Zango; Malam Ibrahim Kabir, said the major problem that contributed to the rise of the ram is Covid-19 which restricted movement of ram from neighbouring countries into Nigeria.
He also said some of their customers mostly civil servants have not received their salaries
He however assured that in the next 24 hours there might be slight increase in number of purchases as many are expected to have received their salaries.
However, to Hajiya Amina Shehu, no matter the situation, the Eid-el-Kabir celebration must be celebrated.
