Traders in the popular Akpan Andem Market in Uyo, the State capital and
Itam market in Itu Local Government Area, have decried low patronage
experienced as a result of the non-payment of December salaries to State
Government workers.
The sellers of food items such as rice, yams, beans, palm oil and
groundnut oil who exchanged views with this reporter on Tuesday afternoon
said, they had not been making any brisk business in preparation for
Christmas unlike last year.
A trader, who gave her name as Eka Unyime, said, there was no difference
between this Christmas festive period and any ordinary day.
``Most of our customers are Government workers
...they come and complain that they have not been paid their last month
salaries. In fact, I was so shocked when I heard from one aunty that the
much publicized AKPABIOMBER was since stopped.
``We sold some food items on credit to some of them who are credit-
worthy and reliable to pay when they receive their salaries. It's pathetic'', a
trader, Eka Unyime said.
Blessing Isaiah, who sells palm and groundnut oils at Akpan Andem Market
in Uyo, also said people were not patronising her as expected, resulting in
low sales.
Mrs Isaiah who is in her 50's said she even sold more last month than this
festive period.
Blessing said her customers claimed that there was no money and that was
why they did not come to buy things from her.
This reporter observed that the few people seen at Itam Market, near the
Goodluck Jonathan flyover, Itu LGA, were buying only at 'bend down
boutique' (okrika).
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