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Traders in Kaduna State have decried the persistent rise in transportation costs due to rising fuel prices.
The traders, in different interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the hike in transport fares is affecting their businesses and reducing patronage.
David Philip, a businessman, said the cost of transporting goods from Lagos and Ibadan to Kaduna has risen significantly, leading to higher prices.
“Products that we sell for N160,000 have risen to N180,000, while some that were N90,000 are now N100,000. There is a decrease in customer patronage; customers are not coming as they used to,” he said.
Divine Unogwu, a trader in day-old chicks and chicken feed, said the increase in transportation costs had driven up the price of day-old chicks by over 100%.
“The price of day-old chickens has risen from N800 to N1,800,” she said.
Another trader, Emmanuella Ejike, who sells electronic and solar appliances, said the price increases begin when imported goods arrive in Lagos before they are transported to Kaduna.
According to her, the high transportation costs have forced her to increase the prices of her goods to remain in business.
“I usually get 10 to 15 customers per day, but the number has now dropped to about five,” she lamented.
Chima Chidi, a provision store owner, said the prices of most goods have increased due to rising transportation costs.
Blessing Adebanjo, a restaurant owner, said the food business has also been affected by the development.
Adebanjo urged the government to do more to address the rising cost of transportation, saying it also affects food security.
