Enugu Residents Settle For Chickens As Prices Of Beef Soar

Residents of Enugu and its environs may have resorted to buying chickens as a source of protein as beef has become unaffordable.

The residents were seen in their numbers at the weekend clustering chicken selling points.

A consumer, Emeka Nebechi, told THE WHISTLER at New Market that, “Since cattle grazers from the north were asked to stop open grazing, prices of beef have continued to increase.

“This weekend, many of us have realised that it is no more affordable. Last week, I bought beef worth N7, 000, and it didn’t last for two days. I just have a family of four. Before now, such would last for six days.”

Another buyer, Mrs Janet Okpara, said, “I have settled for chickens. It is even good to encourage the poultry managers in the East to produce more. I had liked beef because of its taste, but I can’t afford it any longer.

“I don’t know if the northerners have stopped the supply as I read some time ago in the media. It is a lesson for our people to also realise that we can start cattle grazing in the ways that are not harmful to society; otherwise, one day, we shall have to be without meat in our food.”

A seller at Nsukka, who identified himself as Jonas, said, “A cow head that was old for N12, 000 last week is now N20, 000. We are not to blame because cows are in short supply and expensive. The supply is not also regular.

John Okonkwo, in his early twenties, said, “The rate of consumption of chickens has increased. It is good for us because it is from there that I pay my school fees. I kill and process fowls for buyers. My younger brother is in the market, so he gets buyers who want to kill their fowls and bring them to this slaughter area.

“Each fowl takes N200 to be processed. I make at least N5, 000 daily. I only come weekends because I am still in the school. I kill an average of thirty fowls everyday.”