Prices of face masks, hand sanitisers and gloves have increased by 300% following high demand by Abuja residents to protect themselves from Coronavirus.
The high demand for the items was prompted by the growing increase in the number of infected persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
Under the scorching sun, Obiora Micheal, father of 4, was in search of cheaper face masks and hand gloves for his family but was shocked to find out that the cost of only 1 face mask is N500 from less than N50 before the outbreak of Coronavirus late last year .
Like Michael, many residents of the capital city are forced to buy the protective items at the cut-throat prices to protect themselves from the virus.
For street hawkers trading in mask and jand gloves, their booming businesses are like mid-year Christmas and New Year season.
Owners of pharmaceutical stores and supermarkets are also exploiting the situation as they increase the prices of face masks, infrared thermometres and hand sanitisers between 150% and 300%.
Also Read: Nigeria needs N1.67bn to fight Coronavirus outbreak
Already, some of them have ran out of stock as demand for the products have been unprecedented.
In some major markets in Abuja, lemon and other related fruits rumoured to be preventives against Coronavirus are now out of stocks due to the high demand.
Some Nigerians have called on well meaning Nigerians to donate required items to Coronavirus centres in the country to support both the federal and state governments in the fight against the Coronavirus.
As at the time of this report, the Federal Capital Territory had recorded a total of 12 confirmed Coronavirus cases out of the 65 in the country
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
