By Philip Yatai/Jemila Yusuf

Some women in Kaduna metropolis on Wednesday commended traders for not taking advantage of the Ramadan period to increase the prices of food items.

The women told journalists in Kaduna that the traders were very considerate and deserved commendation.

One of the women, Mrs Lateefa Bature, said that the prices of items, particularly grains did not increase, saying that the prices of some grains had crashed.

“For example, a measure of beans is currently selling for N350 as against N400 before the Ramadan,’’ Bature said.

Mrs Amina Shuaibu, a housewife, also lauded the stability of food prices in the market, noting that the prices of fruits had slightly increased.

“A bunch of bananas selling for between N300 and N400, depending on the size, now sells at N500 or more.

“The same goes for other fruits like watermelon, orange and pineapple, usually in high demand during this period,’’ Shuaibu said.

Similarly, Mrs Risiqat Yusuf said: “I actually expected prices of food items to increase, which is usually the case during this period but to my surprise the prices have remained stable.

“In fact, the traders even crashed the prices of some food items. This is really commendable.’’

Meanwhile, some of the foodstuff dealers at Bakin Dogo Market, Kaduna metropolis, said that they were making more sales as the Ramadan entered the tenth day.

Alhaji Shuaibu Rufai, a grain seller, said that the traders were making more sales because some Muslims were buying food items in bulk and distributing to the needy.

“This gesture really boosted our patronage and increased our sales dramatically.

“For example, my sales have increased to N30, 000 from the usual N9, 000 to N13, 000 daily, before the Ramadan period,’’ Rufai said.

Also, a fruit seller, Malam Haruna Isah, equally said that he made more sales during the Ramadan with his daily sales increasing from N4, 000 to N15, 000.

Malam Suleiman Shittu, a tomato and pepper dealer, said his sales had increased to about N20, 000 daily as against N8, 000 to 12, 000 before the Ramadan period. 

A team of Christians and Muslim clerics had in May 2, embarked on campaign to cut down the prices of food items in some markets across the 23 local government areas of the state.

“The campaign is necessary to enable Muslims buy food stuff and fruits at affordable prices throughout the 30-day Ramadan period,” said Pastor Yohana Buru.