According to a survey conducted in Abeokuta on Friday revealed that prices of rams now range between N25, 000 and N80,000   as against N17, 000 and N65, 000 some months ago.

Mr Olanrewaju Sulaimon, a ram seller at Kuto market in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, said that the increase was due to the hike in transport fares.

Sulaimon also attributed the increase to the security situation  in the northern part of the country.

Alhaji Ramon Musa, another ram seller at Round about cattle market, Lafenwa, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, said sales had been low.

“Many customers have come to the market but few of them came back to buy the rams.

“I think  the high cost of transporting rams to the South-West Zone  and  the increase in the price of nimal feeds affected the prices of the rams,” he said.

Mr Olawale Jinadu, a civil servant in Ogun, expressed concern over the high cost of rams and called on the government to regulate the price, especially during festive periods.

Jinadu expressed regrets that he could not afford the price, saying that he would prefer to spend the little money he had on household needs.

“I just received my September salary on Oct. 8 and I already have bills to settle.  I will be very happy if the state government can pay our October salary before the festival,” he said. Our source  also reports that the high cost of transportation also affected other food items such as rice and palm oil.

Mrs Olayiwola Johnson, a food stuff seller at Lafenwa market, said a bag of rice now cost N9, 500 as against N9, 000 while a big bag of garri went for N9, 300 as against N8, 000 some months ago

She, however, noted that the price of a 25-litre keg of palm oil remained stable at N6,000.