The Sarkin Kasuwa, Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi popularly known as Sabon Gari Market, Kano State, Amb. Nafi’u Nuhu Indabo on Saturday said traders at the popular Market lost over two billion naira (2,000,000,000) due to the lockdown imposed in the state as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to him, the first phase of the lockdown which lasted for almost sixty days with the market completely shutdown led to the loss as goods in the shops got damaged due to factors such as harsh weather and rodents.
Nuhu also attributed the prohibition of interstate and international movement of persons, goods, and services, also as another factor that led to the huge loss among businessmen and women in the market as most of their goods are shipped in from overseas, Lagos and some other states in the country.
Sabongari Market elders commend KNSG for lifting the lockdown
Ambassador Nafi’u further stated that the market with over thirteen thousand shops no doubt contributes significantly to the revenue generation of the state and country at large and also, serves as an avenue where even those without shops source for their livelihood as it creates opportunities for small businesses to thrive.
However, the Sarkin Kasuwa lamented that marketers at the Abubakar Rimi Market are experiencing difficulties carrying-on their businesses due to the effect of the Covid-19 on their business as many of them were forced to sell off their goods below normal price due to damages caused on the goods as a result of the lockdown while others had to sell their products for any price just to get what to feed their families after the market was reopened.
He pleads with the state and Federal Government to consider the plight of the traders in the market and introduce a support scheme for them or better still incorporate them into the ongoing CBN various intervention programs for different communities so that they too can access loans to boost their businesses and recover the lost.
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in 2016 set up an appeal fund committee to assist traders in the market after a fire outbreak that destroyed goods worth billions in the market.
