Expensive rams: Muslims lament 48 hours to sallah

As the Sallah celebrations approach, traders across the nation are experiencing low patronage even as prices of foodstuffs and rams remained on the high side across markets.

In Epe and Ikorodu areas of Lagos, prices of ram remained on the high side ranging between N100,000 and N250,000, while the costs of a bag of rice was between N13,000 and N16,000 depending on the brand.

Many traders complained of low patronage, despite the fact that prices of foodstuffs like garri, yam flour and others, including chicken and guinea fowl remained stable. Many traders were however optimistic that as the zero hours approach, patronage may pick up.

In Bauchi, Abuja and other parts of the nation the story of low patronage was the same.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the Deidei livestock market and Dutse market, respectively, reports that the prices of small, average and big rams at both markets ranged between N35,000, N60,000 and N100,000.

Reports said that some buyers expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of rams in the markets.

At Dei-dei market, a buyer, who identified himself as Malam Isah Nanono, attributed the situation to the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

Nanono said that he came to purchase a big ram but ended up with a small one because he couldn’t afford his choice due to its high price.

“The one I ended up buying cost me N35,000, while the medium size I wanted to buy went for a negotiable price of N60,000.

“I have visited many ram markets around town but couldn’t buy any because of the high cost, that is why I came here hoping it would be better.

“Many buyers came here and couldn’t afford the rams and they went home disappointed.

“I am appealing to the government to look into the problem or else many Muslims will not be able to afford rams during this Eid-el-Kabir and more to come,” he said.

Another prospective buyer, Mr Rilwanu Isa, said that he could not believe what he was asked to pay for an average sized ram.

According to him, God does not put a burden on anyone who couldn’t afford the sacrifice.

“I could not buy and I just had to go back and from all indications, it will be higher in the few days remaining for the festival.

“If you can afford, good, buy it, and if you can’t, then leave it. It is not a luxury, it is for sacrifice,” he said.

Isa noted that although the traders have their reasons for the high prices, they should also put into consideration the purchasing power of an average income earner, while emphasising that people are only trying to fulfil their religious obligations.

However, Malam Ibrahim Liman, who sells ram at Deidei market, attributed insurgency and high cost of living in the country as some of the major causes for the rise in cost.

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He explained that some of them in the business from the North-East had lost their animals to insurgency and had been forced to import from the Niger Republic and Chad, just to remain in the business.

“Buyers come, bargain prices and go without buying because they are also complaining that there is no money in the country, everything in the market has increased in price, not just ram.

“It is not our fault, we did not buy them cheap too and even the ones we reared ourselves are expensive because it is not easy to feed and rear animals for two or more years, it costs money,” he said.

At the Aleshinloye market in Ibadan, both buyers and sellers also complained.  A prosepctive buyer told Sunday Tribune that despite the fact that the cost of things was high, he was determined to celebrate all the same.

“It is, indeed, costly, but we have no choice than to adapt to the situation of thing. We are all aware that things are on the high side these days not to talk of the festive period. Though I have budgeted about N60,000 for a big ram, I was forced to change my mind. The greatest joy is that we are alive and glad to celebrate another Sallah . We pray that things will get better, because it is the masses that are feeling the heat,” he stated.

On the issue of security during the celebration, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police have been deployed across the states.

Reports from Niger, Lagos, Benue and other states say thousand of men and officers of the police and NSCDC would man highways, Eid prayer grounds, recreational centres among others to ensure security of life and property.