Kaduna residents are groaning and lamenting the current hardship they currently face following the suspension of weekly markets in five Local Government Areas, including the popular Thursday Kawo market within Kaduna metropolis.
Kaduna State Government had on August 30, 2021 suspended weekly markets in five Local Governments; Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, Giwa and Kajuru LGAs.
It also suspended the popular Kawo market which holds every Thursday.
The State Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said the suspension of the markets became imperative due to the growing security threats in the state, and “after a thorough review of the security situation and recommendations put forward by the security agencies.”
Following the suspension of weekly markets, many residents, especially market women, traders who patronise weekly markets for survival, have lamented high rate of poverty, hardship and total collapse of education of their children.
They expressed fears that many of them may soon die due to the harsh economic situation they are currently facing since their sources of feeding, paying school fees of their children, paying rent and payment for hospital bill have been suspended.
Many depend on businesses transacted on weekly markets to feed their loved ones as they move, buy from one and resell in another market the following day.
However, since the ban came into effect, many of the market women, including businessmen are handicapped, frustrated and look sick. Besides, prices of essential foodstuff such as beans, rice, groundnut have increased, thereby making life more unbearable for the masses.
Mrs. Ruth Madaki who said she buys yams in large quantity from Thursday market in Kajuru, and resells at Friday market in Chikun Local Government Area of the State before she could feed her four children, said her business has now collapsed.
According to her, since the suspension, she has been spending her capital on feeding.
“I am passing through tough time now. As a widow, I buy and sell before I pay the school fees of my children, pay rent, buy wears for them. All of them are depending on me. I buy from market A, and sell in market B. Since the suspension, things have been difficult for me.”
Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Sambo who said he feeds his four wives, and 29 children from what he gains from weekly markets in the state, said life has become unbearable.
“As I am speaking with you, two of my wives have divorced me. I cannot afford to feed them anymore. Four of my children have run to stay with my uncle in Sokoto. Right now, I have put my house for sale. I have been facing serious family problem since the suspension of the market.”
He said it’s better for government to provide enough security, than to close the markets that serve ordinary people who have no other businesses for survival.