Despite the economic downturn, there had been a mad rush for Christmas shopping, leading to astronomical rises in the prices of some commodities. In preparation for the yuletide, the Saturday Telegraph, in its usual practice felt the pulse of the nation, finding out what many are going through. Checks by our correspondents across the nation revealed that many Nigerians have been lamenting the exorbitant hike in the prices of staple foods and other commodities as a result of the rush for Christmas shopping. Further checks however showed that civil servants and other salary earners are the worst hit as many of them complained of non-payment of salaries, delayed remuneration and the non-availability of soft loans, among other impediments.
Lamentations in Enugu
In Enugu State, findings revealed an austere feeling as our correspondent gathered that many hopes of a bright season had been dashed. Speaking with Saturday Telegraph, one of our respondents, Mrs. Eveline Okafor, who said the prices of goods are increasing by the day, noted that live chicken that used to sell for N2, 500 to N3, 000, depending on the size, now go for N3, 500, N4, 000 and N5, 000 as the case may be. The housewife also noted that while the price of a particular brand of ground nut oil remains stable, the price of another brand has gone up; just as onions that used to sell for N100 per four pieces now sell for N300 for the same quantity. “This is what we pass through every time a major celebration is coming. What is annoying is that these prices of goods that go up hardly come down after the festival. When it does, it’s usually marginal compared to the rate of increment,” she said. Another woman, Mrs. Chinelo Ugwu, a public servant, who lamented the mad rush explained that she could not believe it when she saw the rush in the market despite the economic crunch in the country. She said that a bushel of local rice that was selling for N4000 and N4, 500 depending on the specie, now sell between N5. 800 and N6. 500, saying it would likely get to N7000 by next week because of the rush. She also noted that a litre of red oil that previously sold for N400 to N450 is now N600. Mrs. Ugwu said that a sizeable quantity of tomatoes that was sold N100 before is now sold N200; while pepper has not increased in price but it decreased in quantity. “I think those of us who depend on static monthly salary are the worst hit when price of goods sky-rocket like this. It means you have to forego a lot of things, which are at the same time are necessary for the household,” she lamented.
Sad tales in Bayelsa
In Yenagoa, the Christmas feeling is in the air as all hope seems to be lost for many who do not have cash at hand to purchase things for the Christmas. Most of the families visited were yet to buy Christmas clothes for their kids, and for some, the recent flooding of the state has affected the Christmas celebration. A woman who gave her name as Joyce Boma said she has used the money budgeted for Christmas to pay up her kid’s school fees. “In fact I went to give them the last one before the closure of the school. I have begged my children that if I see anything, I cook for them on the Christmas day, if not we stay like that. But for Christmas clothes, that is out of the question”, she said. Another resident, Julius Amadi, said there is no amount of explanation he could give that his children would understand, noting that the current situation has put him in a pitiable state. “No money and Christmas is here. What do I tell my kids? Even my wife seems not to understand”, he said, lamenting that he has not been able to buy anything for the celebration. On his part, Mr. Preye Ekiye argued that though things are not too exorbitant, they are still out of reach of the common man. “Even though some of the things are not too expensive, there is no money to buy them. Even the very expensive ones, if there is money, we can buy them like that but there is no money and things are still costly I don’t know what to do”. Madam Ijeoma Okoro, who noted that she joined a contributory group, said she saw ahead and made a proper arrangement by paying for contribution of rice and other things.
No hope in Ado-Ekiti
In Ado-Ekiti, many people complained about the skyrocketed price of goods, especially staple foods as the season approaches. A visit to the popular King’s Market in Ado Ekiti shows that the usual commodities used in celebrating the festival are out of the common man’s reach. Some of the buyers who spoke with our correspondent lamented the unusual increase in prices of foodstuff and other commodities, such as rice and chicken, while they explained that prices of cooking oil, tomatoes and pepper were a bit stable A trader, Mrs Ajijola Hassan, who spoke with Saturday Telegraph, bemoaned the high price of fowl, arguing that it could be attributed to hike in the price of livestock feeds “A bag of rice that used to cost N17, 500 is now N22, 000. Life chicken of N2, 000 now costs N4.000 but groundnut oil is stable, for instance, 5kg sold for N550 still maintain the price, a bottle of palm oil of N300 still retains the price, so also are pepper and tomatoes” “But you should also know that fowl feeds has gradually risen from N6, 500 to N17.000, this could be the reason for the increase in fowl prices” However, the atmosphere in Ado Ekiti, is already that of yuletide, while some residents could be seen in the market in apparent preparation for the season.
‘Dangerous price hikes in Delta’
Dr. Festus Okubor, the chairman of the Board of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, and former Chief of Staff to the immediate past Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged Nigerians to be extra-vigilant ahead of the 2019 general elections, if economic situation must change for better. “The excuses that I have read are most unfortunate, very unfortunate. What it tells me is that we have a government that is not interested in making this country better, which is something to worry everyone at this point in time. “Market prices of foodstuffs suddenly skyrocketed, no market control, compared to the previous administration when rice, gari, beef, chicken and others were sold at affordable prices. “For our condition to get better, first, we must make sure votes count and we don’t have to go up in arms to ensure this. If we are able to install a responsible government, we will buy goods at reasonable prices and enjoy better service delivery.” As for Mr Godwin Udoh, a journalist in Asaba, “things have fallen apart in marketplaces and the centre can no longer hold. There is hunger on the faces of Nigerians, no thanks to the economic quagmire that the political class have plunged the country into. A bag of rice, which I bought for N8,000 in 2014-2015 is now N18,000 in the market. If you ask question, they will tell you ‘cost of production and transportation”. Comrade Monday Osayande, a businessman who hails from Edo state but resides in Asaba laments that only the rich can afford the prices of foodstuffs in the market. “It is unfortunate that the value of the money you take to the market no longer correspond with the commodities you will bring back home. Commodities like rice, groundnut oil and ready-made cloths for children suddenly assumed dangerous prices.”
Prices skyrocket in Abia
Saturday Telegraph investigations revealed that prices of many items have skyrocketed in Abia State markets, including Aba, the commercial hub of the state. Findings show that from live chicken to bags or rice, gallons of groundnut oil and even things as small as crayfish increased in prices. Franka Obasi, a customer who spoke to our reporter at the market said: “This Christmas is just too terrible. Almost everything added a thousand or two. “The biggest live chicken now is N6,000, but we used to buy it N4, 500 before. The ones we used to buy N1,100 before is now 1,700 or even N2,000. Foreign rice that we use to buy 17,000 before is now 18,500, 19,000 and some 20,000. The groundnut oil we use to buy N500 before is now sold for N650 and N700 upwards. In fact, everything increased and it is making life difficult for us.” According Mr. Smart Okoroji, “Even the Made in Nigeria rice that were once sold for N14-15,000 is now sold from N16,500 upwards. “I blame some of our traders for this act because, this is not the first time this is happening. They make life unbearable for families.”
Reactions in Oyo markets
A resident of Ibadan, Mrs Adegoroye said things are just too hard these days as prices of things have soared too unbearably with sellers imposing their different prices as they like. I may not want to blame the sellers but our governments at the various levels who have failed in their responsibilities to regulate Price Control Board and make it functional. Prices of chicken, meats, ingredients, rice and so on have nearly doubled this December”. A breadwinner of an extended family who had till last year been buying and distributing chickens and bags of rice to his relations, Chief Edward, told Saturday Telegraph that “for many years that I have been providing my extended relations with gifts at every festive period. I have had to decide since the middle of this year that I will not do it this December. I am unhappy about this but the reality of the nation’s economy has forced me to make this resolution. I only hope next year will not be like this. Something must be done by the people and the government with regard to the next year’s elections”, he said. The market sellers however have their defence as they claim that they “are also selling what we buy”.
Prices soar in Ondo
Prices of food items, good and services have gone up in different parts of Ondo State as people prepared for the celebration of Christmas and New Year. In Akure, the State capital, prices of staple foods associated with celebration have gone up. For instance, a bag of rice is sold between N20 and N23,000 in different parts of Akure while yams, and wheat have gone beyond the reach of many people. The survey in Akoko markets like Osele in Ikare- Akoko, Oka-Akoko markets and Okeagbe Akoko markets showed increase in the prices of food commodities . Saturday Telegraph’s visit to the markets revealed that a bag of rice sold between N15,000 naira to N16, 000 naira now costs N22 000 naira, five tubers of yam is N5, 000naira. The price of beans has not changed while the price of garri increased in some areas. The production of gaari in towns like Ajowa, Ifira, Ikun and Iboropa that are major producers of gaari revealed that dry season is responsible for the hike in the price. A woman trader in Ikare- Akoko Hajia Risikat Mohamed attributed it to transport fares and Yuletide demand for foodstuffs. A farmer from Afin-Akoko Mr Momodu Balogun urged government to encourage local farmers to produce rice locally so as to reduce high price of the commodity. Similarly, prices of various commodities especially food items which are predominantly associated with the Yuletide season in the market in Owo have significantly increased while some perishable items remained stable. Saturday Telegraph also visited the four major markets in the ancient community for market survey showing that, items like; rice (foreign and local), beans, tubers of yam, palm oil, vegetable oil are at the high side while others like basin of ‘gaari’, yam flour, tomato, pepper and onion remained stable. Details of the survey revealed that, foreign rice which was formerly N17,500 is now N22,500, local rice now N15,000 from N12.500, three tubers of yam rose from N800 to N1500 (according to sizes), a keg of 25 litres of palm oil that was formerly sold for N7.500 last month jumped to N10.000 even as vegetable oil in different volumes and maker also increased in prices. Apart from food items, it was observed that not many of live fowls were in the market as at the time of the visit but those who tried to beat the rushing hours bought between N2500 and N3000 depending on the size and weight. Two traders, Mrs Olaitan Oladele and Mr Cosmos Ebuke who spoke with Saturday Telegraph over the development disclosed that, it has become a usual phenomenon for increase in prices of commodities at this period of the year but what has always being the excuse of their suppliers often being the high cost of transportation. They however said the situation is equally affecting them in respect of low patronage as their customers too are also complaining of the high cost of these items.
Osun residents lament
Many residents of Osogbo, Osun State capital are now in momentary lamentations over the skyrocketed of prices in the items like live chicken, groundnut oil, rice and others in the markets as Christmas celebration is approaching. One of the residents, Prince Ademola Adeleke who spoke with Saturday Telegraph said it is disappointing that the prices of these items have gone high and making it unbearable for the consumers to purchase to celebrate the coming Xmas event. According to him, the price of live chicken being sold for N3,000 had a been jerked up to N7,0000 while the price of rice being sold for N15,000 before had been jerked up to N23,000. He condemned the present administration for the increase in the prices of these items and accused them of running bad governance saying, they should go and bury their heads in shame. Also, an aged woman who identified herself as Mrs. Risikatu Adisa said, she could not afford to buy what she wanted for the Christmas due to untold hardship brought to the masses by the government but appreciated God for sparing her life and that of her family members. She said she was marvelled to hear that, the price of groundnut oil from N6,000 has jumped to N9,000 while that of other ingredients have also become a sorry sight one. “Apart from the increase in the prices of these items, there are super inflation in the land as people are financially backward and impotent to afford to meet their expectations especially during this Yuletide period”, she added. In his own disposition to the high in the prices, Mr. Niyi Adebisi said that, he would go back to their farm to look for ingredients to use during the celebration and that the event would be marked in a low key one.”If it is gaari and groundnut or eba and fufu that could be used for the celebration, so be it. What I know is that, we are in good health and we give glory to God for making us alive”.
Rivers residents reduce budget
The rise in the prices of chickens, rice, vegetable oil among other edibles has forced some residents of Port Harcourt to reduce their budgets. Amid the cries of economic hardship, market men and women on the one hand and buyers or shoppers are having a difficult time haggling on prices. According to Stephen Obot, an inter city transporter who drives a Toyota Sienna bus at the Mile I Park, his saving grace is a yearly contribution that yields a bag of rice, 10 litres of groundnut oil, tin tomatoes and others. “We are not buying anything again for because things are so expensive,” he said. At the popular Mile 1 Market, the price of a bag of rice is between N17, 000 to N19,000 depending on the brand. Although some still buy without qualms, many just price and either buy half bag or walk away. One buyer, who gave her name as Madam Joy, a mother of four, who is a teacher in a private school in Port Harcourt, said that the prices of commodities have not increased astronomically, but complains of lack of cash to make “reasonable purchases”.
Plateau
Prices of foodstuff and other essential commodities have escalated in some markets in the Jos, the Plateau State Capital as Christmas remain three days. Saturday Telegraph discovered the rising cost of the commodities, especially tomatoes, pepper and onions, is caused by the increase in demand for the items especially for the celebration of christmas Also in Farin Gadi market, a basket of tomatoes formerly sold at N3,000 now sells for N6,500, due to its high demand. Similarly, a bag of onions, which sold for between N7,000 and N8,000 before, now sells at between N10, 000 and N12, 000. In Bukuru market, a basket of pepper formerly sold between N4, 000 and N5,000 now sells for N7,000.
FRSC warns against night journey
Meanwhile, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) advised motorists not to embark on night journey. The FRSC Unit Commander of in Ilesa, Mr Samuel Oyedeji, who gave the advice, enjoined motorists to stop embarking on night journeys during festive periods, noting that night journeys and reckless driving were majorly responsible for many auto crashes during the past seasons. He said that the unit had deployed some of its personnel to ensure free flow of traffic on highways and that motorists adhere to road safety rules. The commander also urged them to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on any trip. “The command has embarked on a full-scale enforcement to eradicate reckless driving, overtaking, over loading and use of phone while driving. “Majority of the accidents are as a result of reckless driving and night journey in which armed robbers, potholes, grounded vehicles, among others, cause accidents,” he said. In the same vein, the Yobe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed about 800 of its men across the state to provide security during the Christmas celebration. The state Commandant, Mr Ayinla Olowo, who made the disclosure on Friday, said the personnel deployed across the 17 local government areas of the state include plainclothes and uniform men to ensure a peaceful Christmas celebration. Though we are enjoying relative peace in the state, that doesn’t mean we shall sleep with our two eyes closed. We should always be at alert,” he said.
NSCDC deploys 1,500 personnel in Osun
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command, on Friday, said it had deployed over 1,500 personnel to provide security in the state during and after the Christmas celebration. he Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the corps, Mr Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement in Osogbo. He said that the command had put in place adequate security arrangement to ensure residents of the state had a hitch-free celebration. “The corps has deployed over one thousand five hundred (1500) personnel across the state to protect lives and property before, during and after the festival. “Critical national assets and infrastructure throughout the state are also keenly manned by our officers. “We appeal to the public to be vigilant and make available, any information that could lead to the arrest of anyone found tampering with any of these assets. “Any suspicious movements or activities should also be reported to any of the offices of the NSCDC in all the Local Government and LCDA in the state.” he said.
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