Patronage
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Aug. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Austin Akaluzia, the manager of Monoliza Amusement Park, located in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Wednesday said that the park experienced low patronage during the Eid-el-Kabir.
Akaluzia in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) blamed the lull in business on the current economic situation.
He said that the park had been looking forward to experiencing high patronage during the Eid-el-Kabir.
“But from what we have seen, it is discouraging; people are not coming as expected; I think a lot of people are handicapped financially. The park is scanty.
“During previous celebrations such as the small Sallah and Easter, by now we had recorded over 150 guests and visitors.
“But right now, we don’t have more than 30 people. No children playing with the equipment provided for them.
“We have been hoping, but so far, nothing encouraging. I think the economy situation is responsible.
“We pray that Allah makes it easy for us,” he said.
Mr Joseph Omekaji, a father of one and a business man in Garki Market who came to catch fun, said the park was boring on Tuesday, the first day of the celebration.
“I was at the park yesterday, Tuesday. It was not like Sallah at all. Everywhere was just dry. Today is better because more visitors and guests have been coming.”
He said that the non-payment of salaries to workers might have been responsible; you know today is 22,” Omekaji said.
Also speaking to NAN, Mrs Evelyn Okafor who sells ‘Cutting Candy’ said that she experienced a low patronage of her products.
According to her, most of the funseekers complained that they had not been paid their salaries for August.
“During small Sallah, patronage and sales were high, but this big Sallah, the patronage has been low.
“You can see for yourself, people are not many inside the park,” she said.
A photographer, Mr Innocent Taiwo, said that the low turn out of funseekers in the park affected his business.
He said, “People have not been coming to the park. Since yesterday and today, patronage has been low.
“But, we hope that it gets better before the day runs out,” Taiwo said.
NAN observed that children were seen playing on the bumber-car ride, jumping house and running elephants.
However, there were no children playing with other facilities provided for them within the park.(NAN)
CMY/ PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada