By Sani Abdulrahman
Kaduna – Three days into the 41st edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair, exhibitors have decried low patronage of their goods.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the fair was organized by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA).
NAN also reports that the trade fair complex which is located at Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachikun, Kaduna State, witnessed low turnout of customers.
Malam Ahmed Kofar-Ruwa, an exhibitor from Kano who sells herbal drinks, told NAN that the 2020 Kaduna trade fair was the 10th he graced to promote his goods.
“This is the 10th year I am coming here, this year’s sales is poor, people are not coming, there is no patronage, only a few come and go, they only seek to know the prices of products, test and go away.
“They don’t buy; But four to five years ago, I recorded huge sales, I don’t know what could be responsible for this but I can attribute it to the security challenges and hardship faced in the country.
A coordinator at one of the exhibition stands who sells Fabrics and kitchen utensils, Adeola Adams, said that she had been coming to the fair to sell her goods since 2010.
She said that sales at the ongoing trade fair is low compared to previous years.
“This year’s sale is too low compared with previous years, the people’s purchasing power is very low, so they couldn’t buy, the government should improve the economy of the country so that ordinary Nigerians could at least afford basic things.”
Another exhibitor, Magdalene Johnson, said that the fair has lost its flavour.
“Everywhere is just quiet, the government should open the border and let money circulate, things are really expensive so people could only afford to buy food,” she noted.
Mr Godwin Emeka, an electronic dealer who also said he was participating in the fair for the 10th time, corroborated the low sales.
“This is my 10th year, there are no sales, nothing is happening, maybe it is because of the hardship in the country.
“As we all know that the economy is bad, I also believe that the border closure is part of the low patronage.”
An official of KADCCIMA who craved anonymity, told NAN that the low turn out is as a result of the security challenges and the economic situation.
He, however, said that they at KADCCIMA are optimistic as the fair just began few days ago.
He said appropriate security measures have been put in place to ensure the success of the trade fair.
(NAN)
