Some residents of Kano metropolis have decried the high cost of live chicken as they prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Christian faithful across the globe celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Some of the residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano, said they would celebrate the day with what they could afford.
NAN reports that prices of chicken had shot up due to increased demand in the past few days as the festive season approaches.
The prices of chicken range between N5,000 and N10,000, depending on their size and weight.
A kilogramme of well-bred chicken goes for N2,700, as against N2,600, while a live turkey is sold between N30,000 and N40,000.
Mrs. Agnes Bitrus, a resident, said she went to Sabon-Gari Market to buy chicken for N2,000, but she could not find any.
“I and my husband agreed to buy a small chicken to celebrate Christmas, but to my greatest surprise, there was none for N2,000.
“So, now we opted for beef to celebrate the day for the sake of our children,” she said.
Another resident, Abel Jacob, said the season came with lots of excitement and expectations from his family members, characterized by shopping and gifts to friends and the less privileged.
Jacob said he would celebrate Christmas with what he could afford, adding that “after all, there’s no need to overstretch myself.
“Initially, I planned to buy six chickens, but now I’ve reduced it to three due to exorbitant prices,” he said.
Corroborating Jacob, Mr. Adeleke Moses noted that chicken and other poultry products are beyond the reach of the ordinary man.
Moses said that he would observe a low-key celebration due to harsh economic realities.
“I have decided to celebrate low this year because after Christmas/New Year celebration comes school fees,” he said.
Also commenting, Sarah Daniel, a worker, decried the high cost of food items, adding that many families would not celebrate the season in a happier mood.
“Prices of foodstuffs are on the high side now, and salaries have not changed,” she said, and called for practical measures to check inflation in the country (NAN).
