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Due to its closeness to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nasarawa State is a beehive of activities during Christmas celebrations. But the circumstances surrounding the 2022 Christmas celebration, indicate that the beehive activities will be on the decline this year. When Apex News Exclusive takes a tour round major market squares and motor parks in the state, the prices of food items, animals, and transportation skyrocketed. Apex News Exclusive found out that fuel scarcity, Cash Withdrawal Limit as defined by CBN, inflation are among factors that responsible for the difficulty the celebration is mare with.
At Karu, the Organising Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) Nasarawa State chapter, Alh. Abdullahi Ibrahim Gwandu said, the ongoing fuel scarcity during this yuletide season has affected the high turn out at park.
Gwandu stated this at Sani Abacha Motor Terminal Maraba, when speaking with our reporter.
He said the responses of commuters is very low because of increase in the cost of PMS which increase the cost of transportation fare.
Gwandu stated that the situation is getting worse, as a litre of fuel sold for N270, in Abuja, while same is sold N350 outside Abuja, stressing that the cost of fuel is creating difficulties both for transportators and commuters.
In the same vein, the chairman of Carot and Allied Product Dealers Association, Ta’al Community Modern Market, (Orange Market) Maraba Alh. Mustapha Abdullahi said in as much as Christmas season comes with challenges, this year’s celebration seems to be more challenging.
He said that despite that fact that market is moving very fast, the prices of things have gone to the roof due to the high cost of fuel.
However, he pointed out that the CBN new police on cash withdrawal limit is affecting businesses. For instance he said the journey from Kano State to Abuja with goods is N150,000, for smaller cars and N400 000 for bigger cars. So when driver demands for the whole cash for road expenses, it becomes difficult to get it for him. Explaining further he said as business men, there are challenges withdrawing huge cash and also paying for revenue, and purchasing goods as it requires huge cash. He appeal to CBN to reverse the policy for the sake of effective business transactions.
