• Ram prices triple amid rising transport, feed costs
Commuters along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday spent several hours in traffic caused by Eid-el-Kabir trading activities around the Kara Cattle Market.
 
Ram traders in the early hours of yesterday blocked sections of the busy expressway while moving livestock across the road. The situation occurred between Fatgbems Bus Stop and Kara Bridge, with commuters lamenting the inability of the Ogun State Government to relocate the Kara market despite repeated promises.
 
The ram sellers displayed livestock along the edge of the expressway while intending buyers parked indiscriminately, thereby occupying one lane of the highway.
 
The recurring traffic congestion, which started last weekend, worsened yesterday as Muslim faithful made last-minute efforts to purchase rams ahead of today’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
 
Gridlock was recorded on both sides of the expressway as travellers from the Mowe-Ibafo-Magboro axis were trapped in traffic stretching from Mikano on the Long Bridge towards the Kara market area.
   
Traffic officials, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), were seen controlling traffic and managing the situation.
 
However, the congestion extended to the 7Up axis for motorists travelling from the Lagos end of the expressway. Consequently, transport fares surged, with commuters travelling from Mowe to Berger paying between N1,500 and N2,000 for trips that usually cost between N700 and N800.
   
Lamenting his ordeal, a commuter, Monday Odeh, who resides in Mowe, blamed the Ogun State government for failing to relocate the Kara market despite several deadlines. He expressed frustration over the gridlock, saying it led to missed appointments and health challenges.
 
Another commuter, Kingsley Nnanna, urged the state government to fulfill its promises to prevent a recurrence next year.
 
A commercial driver, Tayo Amao, told The Guardian that the prolonged traffic increased fuel consumption, forcing transporters to raise fares.
 
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the relocation of the market would be carried out after the completion of the proposed permanent site.

Meanwhile, ram prices have tripled, with sellers lamenting low patronage. Speaking with The Guardian, President of the Ram Sellers Association, Gbagada, Abubakar Langa, complained of poor sales.

“No customer is coming to buy ram,” he said.
   
“The price of ram increased because of the rise in fuel costs. The amount spent transporting rams has increased fourfold, while ram feed has also become more expensive. We had no choice but to increase prices.”
 
One of the buyers, Idowu Aminu, said soaring inflation had significantly affected the cost of rams. “As everything has gone up astronomically, the price of ram is also affected,” he said.
 
He also linked the high prices to insecurity in the North, particularly attacks by Boko Haram on farmers, which he said affected the supply of livestock.
 
“One ram now costs between N700,000 and N800,000, compared to between N70,000 and N100,000 in the past. The price reflects the state of the economy. It is difficult now to find two people slaughtering rams on the same street,” he added.
 
“Some people start saving immediately after one Salah celebration for the next year. It is almost like saving for house rent.”
   
Speaking on how he copes with the situation, Aminu said, “I am a retiree, but God has been kind to me. I have children whom God has blessed.”

Another buyer, Babatunde Akorede, described this year’s prices as unbearable. “I paid for my ram and came to pick it up, but the seller asked me to add N150,000 because the price had increased from N300,000 to N400,000. I am confused and considering asking for a refund,” he said.
 
“I bought the same size of ram for N250,000 last year. Not celebrating with ram this year is not the end of the world. Some people borrow money to buy rams and suffer the consequences after Salah.”
 
For Olohunnishola Lateef, the economic situation has reduced patronage. “The situation is terrible this year. There are fewer buyers because people do not have money, and traders are not accepting credit sales,” he said.
 
“No ram is being sold for N100,000 anymore. Prices have tripled, so anyone who bought a ram for N100,000 last year should budget about N300,000 this year.”
 
Lateef added that he could not afford to buy rams for resale this season. “I only bought one for personal use at N350,000 because the sellers know me,” he said.
 
He advised Muslim faithful to celebrate within their means and urged government officials to visit markets to understand the hardship Nigerians are facing.
 
“People are suffering. Many cannot afford three meals daily. Muslims are not coming to buy rams because there is no money,” he said.