SOME FOOD VENDORS IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE EXPRESS WORRY OVER THE HIGH COST OF FOOD ITEMS IN THE COUNTRY.

Selling of roasted plantain and cooked beans is fast becoming a source of income for most women as many of them are now joining the business since it does not require much capital. They are seen along the streets, parks, popular joints and business areas using umbrella to shed their customers from rain or scorching sun while others use plank to construct make shift shop.

In Anambra State ,Sellers of cooked beans and roasted plantain in Awka and its environs say the high cost of food items in the country is negatively impacting on their business. The sellers, who were mainly women made their feelings known when Radio Nigeria visited some of their sheds.

They appealed to various governments to put in place policies that would bring down prices of food items and other commodities to make the business profitable for them. One of the women, Mrs Uju Nwammadu who stays at Regina Celi Junction said she had being in the business for about nineteen years.

Mrs. Nwammadu revealed that she was able to train some of her children to University level with the proceeds from the business but regretted that the present economic situation in the country had adversely affected her. According to Mrs Nwammadu, a bag of beans which sold for thirteen thousand naira is now thirty five to thirty eight thousand naira.

Other sellers, Cecilia Nwafor and Mrs Maria Okea said though their profit margin had reduced, they had to continue with the business since they don’t have any other thing to do. On the contrary, Mrs. Joy Ndukaife who formerly sold fruits, switched to the sale of cooked beans and roasted plantain due to the lucrative nature of the business.

Some consumers of the delicacy told Radio Nigeria  that they derived a lot of satisfaction  from the food. With the unhygienic environment where some of the food is being prepared and the manner in which the plantain is displayed,  the Head of Department of Nutrition and Diabetics Anambra State Polytechnic Nkpaku, Mrs. Helen Egbuna advised consumers to always insist on putting the plantain back on fire before mixing it with beans to ensure that the germs or bacteria    were killed before consumption.

UJU UDUEZUE