Ram dealers lament low sales in Ilorin
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
Chairman of the Ram Dealers Association in Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Alata, has lamented the low patronage of rams in the area ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Rams are traditionally used by Muslim faithful for the Islamic rites associated with Eid-el-Kabir across the world.
Speaking with Western Post in Ilorin on Wednesday, Alata said one of the major factors responsible for the low patronage is the high price of rams, which many people have been complaining about.
“Ever since I began selling here almost a month ago, I have sold only about 40 rams, compared to before when we would have sold up to 500,” he said.
He explained that inadequate cash flow has resulted in an abundance of rams without buyers, adding that the price of rams has nearly doubled compared to last year. “A ram that sold for N75,000 last year now goes for N170,000,” he noted.
According to him, “Another factor is the cost of transportation from the North to Kwara. Transporting a ram from Sokoto costs about N18,000, with the lowest fare per ram being N15,000. When you add the transport cost to the price of the ram itself, it becomes even more expensive, as rams from the North are already costly.”
He also identified the high cost of feed as a contributing factor. “The same feed we bought for N7,500 last year is now sold for N14,000,” he added.
Alata appealed to well-meaning Kwarans who plan to distribute rams during the festival to patronize local dealers. He also urged both individuals and the government to support them by purchasing rams locally.
