Abuja – Some traders in Abuja markets have decried poor patronage of their goods after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The traders spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The traders blamed the situation on the delay in payment of public servants` salaries and the low circulation of cash in the economy.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Mr Yunusa Isah, a cloth seller in Wuse market, told NAN that he had not made a single sale in 2016, expressing hope for an improved situation in the near future.
“Most of the clothes I sold last year were on credit because customers complained of late payment of salary and promised to pay as soon as they receive their money.
“I resumed and opened my shop on Monday, till this moment, I have not sold a single item but I pray things will get better by the end of January, “ he said.
Mr Williams Buchi, a rice dealer at Dutse market, told NAN that sales were high during the festive period because people could not do without food.
Buchi said, “the foodstuff like semovita, rice and beans are the major foodstuffs that sell mostly during festive, either poor or rich must celebrate Christmas and New Year.
“I started coming to shop since Jan. 2, I have not sold anything because most people still have foodstuff left in their houses that will last them for a whole month.“
Mr Sunny Okechukwu, cosmetics seller at Wuse market, said that he was currently experiencing low patronage because his customers complained about non-payment of salaries.
Okechukwu said he sold at low prices in the last festive period, since he needed to get his money back and it fetched him high patronage.
“I am not bothered with the low patronage and am not travelling to buy goods now till early February because I can’t expect somebody that just made her hair to come and patronise me.
“Most women carried their hair for a month before they retouched it but I will get new products that will attract customers soon, “ he said.
Mrs Omolara Julius, a buyer at Utako market, said she always like to buy her items during the period because they won’t have any cause to increase prices.
“I came to fill my house with foodstuff that I will need for the whole month because it is cheaper.
“ Most of the sellers know that buyers are not ready to buy anything now and some are ready to travel, so they reduce the prices to attract customers, “ she said.
Mrs Florance Edward, a buyer, said: “I just received my November and December, 2015 salaries on Jan. 2, after the festive period.
“All that I bought for festive were on credit and l am here to pay my debit because I didn’t want to fail my promise to them.
“I urge government to pay workers` salaries promptly and allow money to flow in circulation, most especially during any festive period. “ she added. (NAN)