Some traders at the Lafia Modern Market who continued with their businesses have blamed lack of funds for their not celebrating the Eid-El-Kabir.

The traders expressed their dismay at the paucity of funds in the country while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Thursday.

Malam Yahaya Hassan, a trader and resident of Lafia, blamed the situation to the non-payment of workers’ salaries in the state which, he said, had affected many traders in the state.

“It has affected almost everybody. There was is money to buy ram and other things to celebrate with my family.

“My customers who are mostly workers did not show up in my shop. Those I saw said they have not been paid.

“That is why I cannot sit at home. I prefer to be here in my shop instead of staying at home and doing nothing.”

Another, Malam Abubakar, Maina, told NAN that as at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, he was still at his shop hoping to take advantage of panic buyers but there was no sale.

“In spite of low prices of commodities, many customers could still not buy and the few who came could barely afford to pay.

“Look at my yams, the quantity has not changed since last week.

“I even reduced the price just to attract customers and gather enough money to buy a ram and other things to celebrate with my family but it did not work.

“I rather stay here than stay at home complaining.”

Mr. Yusuf Adamu, a tailor near the market, lamented that he had thought that few days before the Sallah celebrations would afford him brisk business and enough money to celebrate with his family.

According to him, customers stayed away citing non-payment of salaries.

“Normally, this is our peak period. But as you can see, I am idle because nobody has brought work.

“I decided to come today with the hope that someone will bring work which I will quickly finish and use the money to compensate my family tomorrow.”

NAN reports that on Wednesday, the Nasarawa State Government at a news conference appealed to workers in the state to show understanding over its inability to pay salaries ahead of Eid-el Kabir on Thursday.

The duo of Mohammed Musa, state Accountant General and Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, Secretary to the State Government, regretted the government's inability to pay the salaries before the festivity.

They said this was due to the delay in holding the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

They explained that the meeting was later held on Tuesday.

They said that it would take a minimum of three working days for the Central Bank of Nigeria to commence the release of allocations to each state account. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Al-Makura

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