IBADAN – A group of traders in Ibadan on Friday bemoaned the poor patronage by customers ahead of the Sallah celebrations, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The traders from the popular Gbagi Market area in Ibadan told NAN in separate interviews that workers, who formed a larger part of their customers, blamed the poor sales on the non-payment of salary.
Mr Dayo Mustapha, one of the traders, who deals in lace materials, told NAN that they had been witnessing low patronage this season.
He said that most of the workers told them they had yet to be paid.
“We even call some of our customers whom we know cannot do without buying clothes at seasons like this.
“They told us that they can’t afford to buy clothes because they have not been paid their salary.
“Although we experience low patronage due to the poor state of the economy, but when festivals like Eld-el-fitri is approaching, things normally take a different turn,’’ he said.[eap_ad_1]
Similarly, Alhaja Adesola Lawal, who deals in Ankara materials, also corroborated Mustapha’s explanation, adding that the situation had not been this bad in the past.
Lawal said textile traders in the various markets of the metropolis had been experiencing similar fate.
Also, foodstuff sellers in the various markets of the metropolis complained of low patronage as the Sallah approaches.
They told NAN they had disappointing sales despite the fact that the prices of goods were moderate and had not changed.
Mrs Risikat Adebayo, one of the traders, called on the government to help stabilise the economy.
“I think the poverty rate in the nation is increasing drastically.
“I urge government to help in bringing this to a minimal rate if not eradicated,” she said.
Mrs Bose Adeogun, who sells beverages, also complained that sales were below the expected level.
She also urged government to endeavour to pay workers’ salaries as at when due and create employment opportunities to reduce poverty rate. (NAN)[eap_ad_4]
