The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi weekend ordered food stuff sellers in town and it’s environs to immediately cut down the high cost of food stuff or risk their shop being closed down. We gathered that the traditional rulers intervention followed a recent market survey of the prices of some food stuffs in the town as compared to other neighboring states.
The food item include rice, palm oil, ground nut oil and garri. A statement from the Obas palace said it was discovered that the prices obtained in these communities are at variance with what operates in Akure. It was discovered that the prices of rice, garri, palm oil was too exorbitant when compared with other cities making it almost the highest in the whole of south-west.
The obas order to market women to slash the prices of these commodities at his palace was after an exhaustive meeting with the leadership of the various groups of foodstuff sellers in Akure. Oba Alaadelusi expressed displeasure at the astronomical rate at which food stuff is being sold in Akure compared with other neighboring towns.
The statement said the oba was “so sad that the prices of commodities had been unnecessarily hiked in Akure with no justifiable reason. This is unfair and totally unacceptable.
“Considering the present economic hardship in the country, we cannot continue to watch our people die in hunger and pains due to needless hike in price of the basic need of life which is food. Oba Aladetoyinbo said that “with the market survey carried out by the palace, it is glaring that the situation in Akure is becoming unbearable for families and things may go worse if not quickly tackled.
“I wondered why a bag of rice will be sold for between N21,000 and N23,000, 20 litres of palm oil now sells for between N20,000 and N21,500, a rubber of garri now sells for N200, when other communities sells for N16,000, N10,000 and N100 respectively. “The monarch has therefore informed the market men and women of the need to immediately cut down the prices of some essential food stuff. “The Monarch ordered an immediate reduction in the price of rice which is being sold at an average of N21, 000 to N19, 000.
“We are watching the market situation in other towns and I will ensure a downward review of the price as situation may demand to be at par with other neighboring towns. “Oba Aladetoyinbo, however, appreciates the market men and women who agreed with him on the need for the splash in prices considering the economic realities in the country.
He thanked them “for their cooperation and understanding over the matter. Meanwhile, Oba Aladetoyinbo had set up a task force to monitor the situation and ensure strict compliance with the new prices. He vowed to close down the shop of any defiant seller in the metropolis.
(Vanguard)
