Three days into the 41st edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair, exhibitors have decried low patronage of their goods.
The fair was organised by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA).
The trade fair complex which is located at Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachikun, Kaduna state, witnessed low turnout of customers.
An exhibitor from Kano who sells herbal drinks, Malam Ahmed Kofar-Ruwa, said the 2020 Kaduna trade fair was the 10th he graced to promote his goods.
“This is the 10th year I am coming here. This year’s sales are poor. People are not coming. There is no patronage, only a few come and go and they only seek to know the prices of products test them and go away.
“They don’t buy, but four to five years ago, I recorded huge sales. I don’t know what could be responsible for this, but I can attribute it to the security challenges and hardship faced in the country.
A coordinator at one of the exhibition stands who sells Fabrics and kitchen utensils, Adeola Adams, said she had been coming to the fair to sell her goods since 2010.
She said sales at the trade fair are low compared to previous years.
“This year’s sale is too low compared with previous years. The people’s purchasing power is very low, so they couldn’t buy, the government should improve the economy of the country so that ordinary Nigerians could at least afford basic things.”
Another exhibitor, Magdalene Johnson, said the fair has lost its flavour.
“Everywhere is just quiet. The government should open the border and let money circulate. Things are really expensive, so people could only afford to buy food,” she said.
Mr Godwin Emeka, an electronic dealer who also said he was participating in the fair for the 10th time, corroborated the low sales.
“This is my 10th year, there are no sales, nothing is happening, maybe it is because of the hardship in the country.
“As we all know that the economy is bad, I also believe that the border closure is part of the low patronage.”
An official of KADCCIMA, who craved anonymity, stated that the low turnout is as a result of the security challenges and the economic situation. (NAN)
