Newspaper Vendors Decry Low Patronage in Calabar

By Stanley Uchegbu

Some newspaper vendors in Calabar municipality have expressed disappointment over low patronage of newspapers, attributing it to the increase in the price from the initial N150 to N200.

When visited some of the junctions where they make their sales, reports that the turnout of buyers was unimpressive.

Victor Edet, a newspaper vendor at the UNICAL main gate said that since last two months the price was increased, patronage from buyers has not been encouraging.

He said that people would come, price and go without buying, adding that the increase was affecting their business.

Some of our customers now use their smart phones to browse news, said Victor.

Charles Madu, one of the vendors at Marian hill said that he made more sales when the price stood at N150.

He noted that even though many workers have received their salaries, yet the situation was also affecting their business.

“I do not think I will be here much longer because business is very dull.

“I had expected that with the payment of salaries more customers would buy; but that has not been the case,’’ he said.

He pleaded with the newspaper publishers to come to their rescue by reducing the price to its normal N150.

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