“Onion shortage in Fatshimetrie: A finding linked to the rise in fuel prices and the deplorable state of the road network.”
In the heart of Fatshimetrie, traders and buyers in the market are faced with a worrying reality: the scarcity of onions, this essential ingredient to flavor our dishes. A survey conducted by the Fatshimetrie News Agency revealed that onions are becoming increasingly rare and expensive.
The testimonies of traders are unanimous. Obigaeli Nwokoye, a street onion vendor, explains that a few weeks ago, there was not a single onion available in the entire market, due to the poor road conditions. Suppliers from the north of the country are facing delays, due to the high cost of fuel and the precarious state of the road infrastructure. Drivers coming from Kano are particularly affected, which leads to delays in deliveries to Fatshimetrie. “The government should address these issues and pay special attention to food transporters to ensure regular supply of food items,” she added.
On her part, Mrs Chioma Okeke, another vendor, noted that the price of a bag of onions has skyrocketed to N370,000 from N258,000 in November. She noted that the price has been rising continuously throughout the year, from N70,000 to N90,000 in January to N110,000 to N170,000 around August/October. “Between November and December, the price jumped to between N250,000 and N300,000.”
This highlights the challenges traders and consumers face in the face of rising fuel prices and the poor state of the road network. There is an urgent need for action to ensure a regular and affordable supply of onions and other essential foodstuffs to the population of Fatshimetrie.