As Christmas moves closer, residents of Osun State have lamented the high cost of food items occasioned by the increase in prices of petroleum products across the nation.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent, Mojisola Oladele who visited Osogbo the state capital and Ilesa town, observed that buying and selling moved at a moderate pace.
A visit to the markets revealed that most buyers purchased clothes and shoes of average prices for their children and wards.
A foodstuff trader in Igbonna Market, Osogbo, Alhaji Maruf Bashiru said a bag of rice sells between #32,000 and #38,000 per bag depending on quality, a bag of brown beans popularly referred to as “Oloyin” is sold for #35,000 against last year price of #33,000 and the white beans has reduced to #40,000 against #44,000 per bag sold last year, 25 litres of vegetable oil increased from #27,000 to #31,500 and the 5 litres of the same which formally sold for #5000 now goes for #7500.
Alhaji Bashiru appealed to the government to intensify efforts at addressing the high cost of transportation and insecurity across the nation.
A palm oil trader in Atakumosa Market, Ilesa, Mrs Taiwo Olaniyi who said 25 litres of palm oil is now being sold for #26000 also called on the government to assist farmers so as to increase their production.
Also contributing, a yam flour seller in Oluode Market, Osogbo, Mr Sunday Adebayo said a bag of yam flour which was sold last year for #130000 is now going for #150000, a basket which is one-fourth of a bag sells for #37,500 while a bag of cassava flour which was sold at #8000 last year is now sold for #10000.
Mr Adebayo who appreciated God for the gradual patronage of customers expressed the hope that the current prices would not increase further but reduce to encourage buyers.
A poultry dealer at Sabo Market, Ilesa, Mrs Bimbo Fatola said a table-weight turkey sells from #35,000 upwards, while chickens from native hen, old layers, Noiler and Broiler sells for #3500, #4000, #6000 and #10000 respectively.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria, a civil servant in Osogbo, Mr Israel Fatoki and a resident of Ilesa Town, Mrs Toyin Oke who decried the high cost of food items noted that the present economic situation of the country was caused by high foreign exchange rates, unofficial increase in the prices of petroleum products, insecurity amongst other negative factors, would lead to a low key yuletide celebration.
They appealed to the federal government to ensure an upward review of workers’ salaries which would serve as palliative measures to cushion the current harsh economic situation.
Mojisola Oladele
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