New Year: Transporters Lament, Delta Traders Make Brisk Sales

Transporters in some parts of Delta State yesterday lamented over low patronage while traders especially those dealing with chickens were smiling into the New Year.

A visit to some motor parks in Asaba and others revealed low business activities, showing a decline in the turnout of passengers compared to last year.

The people attributed this to the present harsh economic situation in the country as well as fuel subsidy removal which now affects majority of travellers going for holidays during this festive season.

A bus driver plying Asaba to Lagos, Igwe Nosah, said, “The hardship is too much on the common man as those that brought about this hardship do not use the road but traveled by air.”

Nosah added that travelers from Asaba pay between N30,000 to N45,000 to Lagos while Asaba to Warri was N15,000. He said the hardship has made travellers not to come out or travel because most of them cannot afford such amount.

The Warri branch manager of Ameosa Motors, Friday Mende said, “Business is very low compared to last year, passengers are very few, because there is no money.

“Despite that our prices have remained almost the same because there are no passengers, no rush at all. Maybe business may pick up later but right now., it is not encouraging.”

Meanwhile, buying and selling picked up for the New Year Eve as there was market rush in Warri and other parts of the state.

At NPA Expressway by Ugbuwangue, Igbudu and other major markets in Warri, traders, mostly from the northern part of the country, erected makeshift structures at the median of the road, showcasing live chickens for sale.

Some persons returning from church, were seen pricing and buying the chickens, some of which were held by the traders.

The prices for the chicken range from N10,000 and N15,000, depending on the sizes and type (layers or broilers).

The rush for last minutes new year purchases, intensified towards evening yesterday at the markets.