Economic Hardships; We can no longer feed, many Residents cry out

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), say they are finding it difficult to feed due to the high cost of food items.

The residents also lamented further increase in transportation fares following the increase in the Pump Price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to them, the increased fuel price had left residents grappling with the harsh realities of rising living costs.

The residents said their once manageable budget had spiralled into a daily struggle, primarily due to soaring food prices and transportation fares.

They appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to take immediate action in addressing these issues.

Mrs Maryam Abu, a mother of three, said she often sat at her kitchen table these days with frustration, staring at an empty pot.

“Last year, I could buy a bag of rice for N50,000 and now, it is more than N100,000. How can I feed my children?

“With my husband’s salary barely keeping pace with inflation, I often have to choose between meals and essential household items,’’ she said.

For Mrs Ekaite Obot, a civil servant and a mother of four, the situation is no any better as she said she had not been able to drive to work or church for the past five months.

“For over five months now, I have not moved my car from the garage because I can no longer afford to fuel or maintain the vehicle.

“The times are really tough for my family. All the family expenses have been on me since my husband was relieved of his job as a sales representative.

“I struggle to pay school fees, get household items and feed the family and with this increasing cost of items , I do not think we can continue to survive on my mini income,’’ Obot said.

Another civil servant, Mrs Mary Umeh, while decrying the increased cost of living, said her saving grace was the contribution (adashi) she was doing at work with some colleagues.

“We have several platforms where we contribute money monthly and at the end of the year, we use the money to buy various household items.

“It is almost Christmas now and I do not have any savings, but I am not worried because I know that we will soon use our adashi money to buy some household items.

“I am sure my family will be able to manage the items and I will just need little money to buy other things for the Christmas celebration,’’ she said.

Similarly, Mr Albert Nwakama, a trader, decried his inability to fend for his family due to low sales of his fairly-used clothing business, popularly known as “okrika” or second hand wears.

Nwakama said he used to open new bail of wears every two to three weeks, but in the past six months, he could barely sell a bail of womens’ wears.

“I have not witnessed anything like this since I began this okrika business nine years ago. Many customers who used to buy my goods have stopped coming to my shop.

“Even some of those who used to give me money in advance to enable me open new bails now come to me to borrow money so they can feed their families.

“People are struggling to eat and care for their families and buying of new clothing is no longer a priority for families, thus, leaving people like me at a dilemma ,’’he said.

Mrs Nneka Azubuike, a teacher, said the increased cost of living in the country had turned her into a corporate beggar.

According to Azubuike, every kid from a well to do family in the class that I teach has become my friend because of my selfish reasons.

She said she paid more attention to pupils from wealthy homes because at the end of the day, their parents tend to appreciate her for her good deeds every now and then.

“I am aware this is unprofessional, but I have to take care of my child because I am a single mom. My salary is not enough to care for our needs.

“Also, I taught that with the Dangote refinery, fuel price will reduce and transportation will become affordable in the country, but the reverse is obviously the case.

“The government really needs to find a way to address this transportation issue because it is affecting every sector of the economy, especially food prices,’’ she said.

For a commuter like Ibrahim Idris, the surge in transportation fares was eating eating deep into his budget for other household necessities.

“I used to spend about N400 for commuting to the office every day, but now I pay between N900 and N1,000.

“I am finding it extremely difficult to keep up. I have cut down on most things, yet it is always difficult for me to get to work five times in a week,’’ he said.

Mr Sule Adams, a vendor, said his formerly booming business had now slowed as many families were now tightening their belts.

“We are having a noticeable decline in customers, and some who come to patronise us always want discounts, which we normally oblige them because we want to make sales.

“Most customers, who used to buy goods in large quantities and store in their homes, now buy less quantity. because of the increased cost.

“It is hard for us too; we have to pay for our supplies, and if people are not buying from us, we suffer because we have families also to take care of,’’ Adams said.

Also, Ms Christabel Nicholas, a small business owner, said she was facing an uphill battle as she had to choose between raising prices, displeasing customers, or absorbing the high costs.

“I have had to increase my prices due to the high cost of the items in the market, but my regulars are complaining. It is really a tough decision.

“We need government intervention to overcome this situation because Nigerians are sick, hungry, suffering and dying,’’ she said.

NAN reports that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation report for April showed food inflation increased to 40.53 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

The Bureau, in its July CPI report, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 9.32 per cent higher than the rate recorded in July 2023 at 24.08 per cent.

The increase in the headline index for July on a year-on-year basis and month-on-month basis was attributed to the rise in prices of some goods and services at the divisional level.(NAN)