Market chair advocates infrastructure for Gombe Okro market

The chairman, okro market in Gombe, Mallam Shaibu Manu has said there is need to provide more safety infrastructure for farmers and the produce in view of the growing strength of the market place.

Shaibu Manu said that the market has in the recent time attracted buyers from major cities like Kano, Jalingo, Abuja, and Jos saying that the increased patronage of the produce is a positive development for both the local farmers and the state’s economy just as he expressed concern over the challenges faced by farmers and the traders.

 

In a statement issued to the press, Manu emphasized the need for government intervention for the farmers' protection saying that "Our farmers need more protection against insecurity as they are the ones making okro available in the market"

He urged authorities to provide adequate security to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers who are operating in the rural areas.

Manu also appealed to the government and private investors to consider expanding the market, noting that with increased demand, there is a pressing need for better infrastructure.

" We need more market opportunities, not just for the buyers but also for the sellers. If we can expand, it will allow for more efficient transactions, more storage facilities, and a better system for everyone involved in the trade " he said.

However, Saidatu Hassan, a 20-year veteran in the okro peeling business, shared her long-standing experience in this labor-intensive aspect of the trade saying that " I' ve been peeling okro for over two decades for further processing with s low pay"

 

Hassan lamented that the pay didn't commensurate with the labour involved saying "I am paid only ₦300 for each bag of okro I peel"