Some book sellers in Enugu have expressed worry over the prevailing lull in their business ahead of the resumption for a new academic session.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday, the traders attributed the “low patronage” to the new trend, where publishers supply stationeries directly to schools.
At the Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, many book sellers, who were seen either sleeping or discussing politics, complained about low sales.
Mr Solomon Chimezie said that since publishers started supplying books directly to schools, demand was mainly for English Language and Mathematics texts.
Chimezie said: “Before the advent and proliferation of private schools, we made big sales at the inception of every new session because publishers were dealing with us.
“As a new session is beginning next week, only a few customers come to buy exercise books. “Some will only ask about the price and leave, complaining about the price or quality of the print.
“I appeal to government to check the trend where school authorities make it compulsory for students to buy books in school. It is killing our business.’’
Another book seller, Mrs Joy Ngwu, said that due to the high cost of books from the publishers, traders sometimes ordered for books printed with low quality paper to make them affordable.
“As you can see, most of the customers only come to ask about books they could not get from the school. I am planning to leave this business soon,’’ she said.
A civil servant and parent, Mrs Chinwe Ngene, said that she preferred buying her children’s books from their school because they are original and not pirated.
She advised book sellers to collaborate with schools to supply them books in order to increase their sales.
A school administrator, Mrs Nnenne Nganaba, said that schools were persuaded by parents to sell books directly to them to eliminate the stress associated with the open market.
“When we buy from the publishers, the books are uniform and at times cheaper than what obtains in the open market.
“With customised exercise books, the tendency of book theft and misplament by students is highly reduced,’’ she explained.
Naomi Okafor, an SS II student, urged government to introduce a curriculum that would encourage the use of textbooks for at least five years before they are replaced.
“Though l am not a parent, but my parents complain that they spend so much on textbooks every new session only for them to be changed after two to three years,” she said.
NAN reports that dealers in school items, including bags, sandals, shoes, stockings, launch boxes are currently making brisk business as parents, guardians and students make last minute purchase ahead of Monday’s resumption date. (NAN)
