Kano Residents Bemoan Soaring Foodstuff Prices As Ramadan Approaches

By Abdullahi Yusuf

As the month of Ramadan fast approaches, many residents of Kano metropolis have expressed concern over the soaring prices of foodstuff in the market.

The Ramadan Fast is expected to begin on Monday,March 11,2024,consequent upon the sighting of the Crescent the previous day.

During the Holy period, the Kano Muslim faithful largely consume such foodstuff as rice, pastas, noodles, millet, sugar as well as fruits and vegetables.

However,prices of these food items have soared, making them unaffordable to many,if not most of the faithful,ahead of the commencement of the Ramadan fast.

Some of them interviewed by our Correspondent expressed delight that Ramadan,”the month of salvation and Allah’s blessings, is fast approaching,” but expressed concern about the skyrocketing of prices of essential commodities.

“I am happy,as usual, that Ramadan is coming because it is the month of salvation.I am however, disturbed by the prohibitive prices of the foodstuff which I and my family will consume during the Holy month.

“The prices of rice, sugar and noodles for example, multiplied severally this year to the point that many of us can hardly afford them during the fasting period,” said Malam Garba Dahiru.

Another faithful,Sadiq Hambali, particularly bemoaned the high prices of rice,millet and sugar which he said have been traumatizing him as the fasting period approaches.

“For example,with sugar selling at more than N4,000 per measure and rice costing more than N3,000 per measure, and millet being sold at N1,500 per slot, how do they want us to feed during the Ramadan period,” Hambali queried.

He appealed to dealers and retailers of food items in the state to “drastically reduce their prices in the spirit of the Holy month.If they do that, Allah will replenish their stocks and bless them abundantly.”

A housewife,Jummai Nasiru, corroborated the predicament of her fellow faithful by particularly lamenting the high prices of beans, millet and sugar which to her, are the most essential food items during the Ramadan.

“They have tripled the prices of these essential foodstuff and made them virtually unaffordable to commoners like me, and they keep increasing them as we move towards Ramadan, despite appeals by concerned stakeholders,” Jummai said.

“I pray Allah(SWT) to intervene and make the forthcoming Ramadan fasting easy for us,” the 45-year-old added.

It will be recalled, however, that traders in the state last week promised to crash and stabilise prices of essential commodities ahead of the Ramadan period.

The traders made the promise when the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, Muhuyi Rimingado, summoned them over allegations of hoarding essential commodities at the expense of the people.

Briefing newsmen shortly after meeting with Rimingado, one of the major dealers at Singer Market, Ibrahim Danyaro, said they would parner with the commission to ensure price control in order to make life easier for the people of Kano and beyond.

According to Danyaro, dealers at the market are selling goods at lesser prices than companies, assuring that they would try to maintain the current price till Ramadan and beyond.

He maintained that dealers at Singer Market do not hoard goods at the expense of the consumers, saying that their goods in stores are always open for sale to customers.