Some wood sawyers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have complained about the rise in prices of their working tools, which has harmed their businesses as inflation bites harder.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, they blamed the situation on the country’s high inflation.
Mr Danjuma Haruna, a sawyer in Lugbe, claims that tools he purchased for N50,000 in 2014 are now worth N250, 000.
“Right now, I cut one 412 wood for N600 for my customers, but in 2021, I will saw the same for N200.” This is because diesel and engine oil prices have risen.
“In 2021, I purchased diesel for N300, but this year, I purchased it for N900, which has increased the amount of money I charge my customers,” he explained.
Mr Okwuchukwu Okeke, a wood sawyer in Wuse2 Market, said he now pays N2.2 million for a truck load of 412 woods from Lokoja, Kogi, whereas he used to pay less in 2021.
He claims to make N500,000 per week when business is booming, as opposed to the current N200,000 per week.
Mr Ugochukwu Ibenezim, a wood seller in Dei-dei, told NAN that low patronage has become a threat to his business due to the high cost of processing wood.
“When the woods stay long they begin to lose quality, and in some cases, shape,’’ he said.
