Despite fire outbreak, Singer Market traders slash prices of food items

Barely 10 days after a devastating fire outbreak at the popular Singer Market in Kano which destroyed goods worth over N5 billion, traders in the market have slashed prices of essential food items at the ongoing Ramadan fair to bring succour to the people. Abdullahi Usman, member of the Singer Market Traders Association who was […]

Barely 10 days after a devastating fire outbreak at the popular Singer Market in Kano which destroyed goods worth over N5 billion, traders in the market have slashed prices of essential food items at the ongoing Ramadan fair to bring succour to the people.

Abdullahi Usman, member of the Singer Market Traders Association who was on ground at the Trade fair complex, venue of the Ramadan fair, said the resolve of the traders to slash prices at the fair remains unshakable as they  have put the fire incident behind them, adding that it was seen a test from God.

“The fair is to bring succour to the people during the Ramadan period. Prices here are lower than in the market so that people can do things with ease. I want to express gratitude to the traders for this initiative,” said Usman.

The traders had already started evacuating goods for the fair when the fire outbreak occurred.

A trader Usman Muhammad, however said despite availability of food items at the fair patronage was low compared to last year, noting that prices of food items are relatively low this year.

“Food items are available but customers are not forthcoming, maybe because prices are low this time but hopefully this will improve in the course of the fasting period,” said Muhammad.

Mukhtar Muhammad who came to buy beans at the fair said a mudu was sold to him at N2000 compared to N2400 sold elsewhere.

The buyer said he was happy to have learnt about the fair being run close to his place of residence with food items sold at lower prices.

Another customer, Aisha Bala said she came to buy fruits but discovered about 25 discounts on other food items commending traders for the gesture.

A bag of sugar is N70,000 at the fair while 50kg of rice costs N48,000. A bag of beans is N80,000; a bucket of Irish potato is selling at N14000 just as a cartoon of noodles is N11,000.

The Ramadan fair organised in collaboration with the Kano State government, Kano Chamber of Commerce Industries Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) and Singer Market Traders Association and Dawanau International Grains Market will run throughout the Ramadan period offering food items and other household goods at affordable prices to ease the burden on citizens during the period of spiritual devotion.