Prices of foodstuff and other essential commodities have escalated in some markets in the Federal Capital Territory as Christmas draws closer.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the rising cost of the commodities especially tomatoes, pepper and onions is caused by the increase in demand for the items and high cost of transportation.
In Abaji market, a basket of tomatoes formerly sold at N4,000 now sells for N7,000 due to its high demand.
Similarly, a bag of onion which sold for between N6,000 and N7,000 before, now sells at between N9, 000 and N10, 000.
In Kuje market, a basket of pepper formerly sold between 3,000 and 4,000 now sells for 6,000.
Musa Salisu, a meat seller at the Kuje market, attributed the high cost of beef to the high demand of the commodity, as well as the poor condition of the road from the abattoir to the market.
He, therefore, appealed to the Kuje Area Council to fix the road and equip the abattoir with the necessary modern facilities.
Mrs. Juliana David described the hike in food prices as worrisome, adding that she was yet to receive her October salary.
“Increase in the prices of food items is a normal thing at periods like this, because of the increase in demand of the commodities.
“I want to buy the little that my money can afford so that I can celebrate the Christmas with my family,” she said.
NAN also reports that prices of other food items such as maize, yam and guinea corn have gone up.
The Chairman of Kuje Traders Union, Alhaji Yunusa, blamed some traders for hoarding essential commodities at the beginning of the ember period, to create artificial scarcity.
(NAN)
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