Lagos – Some members of the Ifesowapo Yam Market Association, Mile 12, in Lagos, on Monday bemoaned the high cost of yam tubers in the nation’s economic capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Alhaji Wasiu Bilawu, Chairman of the association, as attributing the situation on poor rainfall and high cost of transportation.
NAN recalls that Bilawu had on June 11 projected a decrease in the prices of yam by July due to the anticipated bumper harvesting of new yams.
He said that contrary to earlier predictions, the price of yams still remained expensive and unaffordable as a meal for the ordinary Nigerian family.
“By now, there ought to be a surplus supply of yam to the market which would have invariably reduced the prices of each tuber.
“The shortage of rainfall experienced this year has affected the harvest season. The demand for yams in Lagos is more than what is presently supplied to the market.
“Also, the cost of transporting the yam to the market has increased.
“Before, we pay N2,000 to transport 100 tubers of yams from Abuja to Lagos but now we are charged N3,000.
“From Ekiti, N1,200 was the cost of transporting 100 tubers of yams but now the transport fare has been hiked to N5,000,” he said.
The association boss also attributed the high cost of transportation to the disparities in the dispensing price of petroleum products across the country.
He urged the government to intervene by creating an interstate transportation system for the movement of goods to markets.
Bilawu said that a reduction in transport fares would alleviate difficulties experienced by traders and impact positively on the supply chain to the markets across the country.
NAN reports that a medium-size tuber of yam costs N600 in the market. (NAN)