Sallah: Low patronage as rams flood Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

Just few days to this year’s Eid el-Kabir celebration, ram sellers especially those operating in many seasonal markets are experiencing low patronage from Muslim faithful in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It was however, observed that ram sellers have flooded major streets with well fed rams, to including notable markets in the Territory.

Recall that the FCT Administration issued a different for rams to be sold only in designated locations, so as not to turn Abuja streets to a huge ram market.

Also, in spite of the availability of Sallah Rams, traders complain that as the Sallah is fast approaching, buyers are not responding like the previous years.

According to one Malam Sani, who said he brought his rams all the way from Niger Republic, not minding the risk of Boko Haram and bandits on the way, buyers are not responding.

Another trader, Mohammed who has dropped a large herd of rams at Karu illegal ram market near Customs Hospital said it’s still one week to Sallah and that even on Sallah day, after the Eid prayers some Muslim faithful can still come and patronise, so he’s not losing hope.

Similarly, a Muslim faithful in Area 11 axis of Abuja told our correspondent that he’s yet to buy his ram as his purchasing power this year has dwindled, coupled with the hike in price of rams this year, adding that a big ram that cost N30,000 last year today costs over N60,000 this year.

According to him, a ‘big beautiful’ rams are available in the various ram markets, but their prices are what he  described as Killing.

He said some cost as high as between N100,000 to N300,000.

As at the time of filling this report, it was that several locations in the FCT have been converted into temporary ram markets, including blocking of some streets in satellite towns.