Ebola : Price of bitter kola skyrockets in Abia

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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.”