As the commencement of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan unfolds, traders in Kano express ongoing dissatisfaction with the limited patronage from customers. 

Several traders, interviewed by NAN on Sunday in Kano, attribute this situation to the diminished purchasing power of customers. Tanko Idris, a foodstuff dealer, reveals that sales have notably declined this year compared to previous ones. 

Despite the customary rise in prices, especially for consumables during Ramadan, people are purchasing goods at a lower rate.

Saminu Dauda, a perishable items dealer, voices concerns about the sluggishness of his business, attributing it to the prevailing economic downturn in the country. Sani Ali, a vegetable seller, laments that the current circumstances are unusual compared to previous years when Ramadan approached. Ali explains that many customers are grappling with a scarcity of funds due to the challenging economic situation, impacting their purchasing power.

Additionally, Nura Baba, a buyer, expresses frustration over the elevated prices of rice, millet, flour, and sugar, which have become a source of concern for him as the fasting period draws near.

“For example, with sugar selling at more than N5,5000 per measure, rice costing more than N3,500 per measure, millet being sold at N1,800 per slot, and crate of egg going for N3,300, how do they want us to feed during the Ramadan period?” he questioned.

He appealed to dealers and retailers of food items in the state to “drastically reduce their prices in the spirit of the Holy month.”

(NAN)