Some residents in Ogun state shopping ahead of Christmas at the Magboro market along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday were not happy.
They complaines on the increase in prices of market wares ranging from consumables to gift items which they blamer oh the harsh effect of the economy which has now affected their purchasing power owing to limited access to funds.
Reports show that the price of a live chicken at Magboro market ranges from N3,500 to N8,000.
A shopper who simply identified herself as Tolani could not hide her disbelief as she explained to our correspondent that she had budgeted N7,500 to get three live chickens at the rate of N2,500 per one.
“I didn’t expect the live chickens to be this expensive because they were sold between N2,000 to N2,500 the last time I bought them.
“I had planned to buy three for the family feast on Christmas day but as it stands now, I may have to opt for frozen chicken,” Tolani explained
A middle-aged man, Mr Benson Ajayi, who was at the market to get some gift items said he was only doing so out of the demands of the season.
He lamented that a lot had changed about how people looked forward to the season with excitement and eagerness.
Ajayi said: “We are preparing for Christmas even though it doesn’t appear that anything of such is on the way.
“Everywhere is just dull. No changes in the atmosphere. You can’t feel Christmas in the air like in the time past. No balloons anywhere for carnival.”
A Christmas hamper containing milk, beverage, wine, juice and pasta is sold for at least N5,000
Some sold at N40,000 had rice, wine, beverage, milk, pasta, two packs of sugar, Pringles, hot dog, baked beans, custard, groundnut, oil and four kitchen rolls.