Communal Clashes: Calabar Experiences Scarcity Of Food Stuff

Following the persistence communal clashes in Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, residents of calabar, are experiencing scarcity of food stuffs and other related food items including fruits. People in these war turn areas abandoned their farm works and engaged in war that left many dead and majorities wounded even as farm lands and houses are also destroyed.

Sadly, the available food stuff that found themselves to the markets had their prices increased by over 200%. Scarcity of garri, plantain and yams and other related food stuff, according to our investigations hit Calabar, following the communal clashes in Abi/Usumutong, Odupani, Ikom, Obubra and other local government areas.

In some of the areas, the war is still going on, killing and maiming is still order of the day whereas burning of houses, destruction of personal properties and belongings are still ongoing. At a visit at the General Hospital Calabar, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital as well as other health related hospitals and clinics, some of the war victims were seen receiving treating.

Investigations reveal that the scarcity has caused those who still have stocks of the items to hoard them and sell at astronomical prices beyond the affordability of many people in the city. Traders who bought stable food including garri, yam and plantain from Nko and Mkpani cannot have access to the market and farms where these items are sold, depriving the consumers from getting the foodstuff.

“The war is still raging in some cities in the state and people are afraid to risk their lives” a source hinted. It was gathered that most of these food items including garri are brought from Odukpani, Ikom, Obubra and Mkpani markets which has the largest stock of the item while the plantain and yams are bought from Ikom and Ogoja respectively but with what is going on there, the traders said they are scared of going there to buy these items.

Disappointingly, at the Watt and Marian market, much of these items were not found and the few seen, the prices had gone up by 200%. A survey at the market showed that an average bunch of plantain which was sold for N1000 now goes for N2500 while a medium bag of garri sold for N3000 now sells for N7000.

“Three cups of garri goes for N100.00 while a bunch of plantain sells for N3000 if you see to buy, but if you don’t see, you can’t wait until the war is over” a trader told our correspondent. She said the famous Ugep garri was usually produced at Mkpani and the market there comes up every Saturday and with the escalation of the conflict many traders stayed away from the area fearing for their lives.