By Anthony Areh
The Central Livestock market in Deidei International Market in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reported selling more than 10 million rams for the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.
The Chairman, Miyatti Allah, Alhaji Shehu Berger, released the figure saying there had been an increase in sales in various livestock because of the Sallah celebration.
According to him, the sales in 2020 is better than 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that did not allow people to travel for Haji.
“Many people are around this year nobody went for Haji, so this has help our market, we thank God.
“ We are happy that the business is moving the way we want. It is very encouraging that we sold our goods”, the chairman said.
He also said that the prices of ram ranges between N15,000 and N35,000 depending on the size.
Mr Ibrahim Usman, a dealer, expressed his happiness with the sales at the international market, saying people from different works of lives patronise them.
“ I have sold more than 300 rams and 70 cows in two days, in spite the COVID-19 pandemic, am happy.” Usman said
However, Mr James Ona, a buyer said that in spite of the COVID-19 health challenge, prices of the livestock did not change as compared to 2019.
Some other residents decried the high prices of ram.
A businesswoman, Aisha Sule, said she had gone to some major livestock markets within Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in search of affordable ram but could not get any.
She explained that a sizeable ram which hitherto cost between N35,000 and N45,000 was sold for between N55,000 and N60, 000, lamenting that it was beyond her budget.
“I went out with N40,000 yesterday but could not get a sizeable ram that will be enough for the entire family. Today, I decided to make it up to N50, 000, yet I am not able to get anything reasonable. It is frustrating,” she said.
A businessman, Haruna Ibrahim, also lamented the high cost of livestock, particularly ram, saying: “I may end up settling for chicken as the price of ram is beyond my budget.
Generally, the ram that went for N100,000 last year was sold for N140,000 this year.
The ram that was sold for N80, 000 last year now goes for N120,000 while the one that went for N35,000 last year is being sold for between N55,000 and N60,000.
