Ebola : Price of bitter kola skyrockets in Abia

Investigations by The PUNCH have revealed that the price of bitter
kola across Abia markets has tripled following the recent speculation
that the medicinal seed has the potency to cure the dreaded Ebola
pandemic now ravaging some West African countries.There have been
palpable fear and anxiety across the state since last week following
the report of a corpse in the neighbouring Anambra State suspected to
have died of Ebola.Despite assurances by the state government of its
preparedness to contain the possible outbreak of the pandemic as some
hospital wards had been designated to treat likely victims, residents
still remain apprehensive.

Commissioner for Health , Dr. Okochukwu Ogah, had in a recent media
briefing, said all hospitals in the state had been put on red alert
while efforts were being stepped up on public enlightenment on how to
avoid and treat the dreaded ailment.

He said no Ebola case had been reported in Abia and appealed to
residents not to panic but promptly report any suspected Ebola case
for rapid response.When our Correspondent visited some markets around
Umuahia including Ubani Market and some motor parks, it was observed
that the commodity which had hitherto been a common sight had become
scarce.Apart from the scarcity of the commodity, its price has also
tripled as a small wrap of few seeds which before now sold for N100
now sells for between N300 and N500 depending on the size of the
seed.It was also observed that there has been panic-buying of the
commodity by residents as the rumour that it could cure Ebola remains
rife in the state.A dealer in bitter kola , Mrs. Mercy Abaraikwu told
our Correspondent that a small custard container measure of the
product which formerly sold for N1500 "now sells for between N3,000
and N3,500."She further added that the commodity had become scarce at
local markets following the increase in number of traders accounting
for the available quantity.Speaking also, a regular buyer of bitter
kola, Chief Ikechi Ekwenye expressed concern over the rate at which
the price of the commodity had gone up.He, therefore, appealed to
government to speed up action on the development of vaccine for the
treatment of Ebola diseases, saying that "once there is drug for
Ebola, the price of bitter kola will come down."

PUNCH