Traders at Ose Okwodu Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have attributed the high cost of food items in Nigeria to the prevailing insecurity in the country. During a visit by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) to the market, the traders’ union secretary, Mr. Onyejekwe Cyprian, stated that farmers are now afraid to cultivate crops due to fear of abduction or kidnapping while transporting their produce to urban areas.
This has resulted in traders traveling to rural areas to purchase goods, leading to increased costs. Onyejekwe also mentioned that climate change and transportation costs are contributing factors to the high prices. The FCCPC’s South East zonal coordinator, Mr. Jude Akonam, assured the traders that their concerns would be relayed to the appropriate authorities for action.
Key points:
- Traders at Ose Okwodu Market attribute high food costs to insecurity
- Farmers fear cultivating crops due to abduction and kidnapping risks
- Traders travel to rural areas to purchase goods, increasing costs
- Climate change and transportation costs also contribute to high prices
- FCCPC visits market to survey cause of rising food costs
- Traders’ concerns to be relayed to authorities for action.
