Citizens have raised concern about the country’s ongoing price hikes in foodstuffs and other things.
According to those who participated in a recent survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the Kpirikpiri and Margaret Umahi International Markets revealed that food costs are soaring, making life difficult for the citizens.
Mrs Akunna Nnachi, a housewife, pleaded with the government to intervene immediately because the issue was affecting her family.
She claimed that a kilogram of cow and goat meat now sells for as much as N3,200, up from the previous price of N2,500.
“Food and transportation prices have continued to rise, and tackling the reasons that are causing the increase will put a stop to the rise.”
“A live goat currently costs between N50,000 and N70,000, as stated by a meat trader, due to expenses incurred in bringing them to Abakaliki,” Nnachi said.
Mr Ejike Egbo, a consumer, also urged the government to investigate the situation, claiming that the situation has gotten so bad that an average household now needs double the amount of food to cook a pot of meal.
“A life bird was sold between N3,500 to N8,500 depending on the size,” she explained.
Egbo bemoaned that after spending so much money on just one food item, she would find it impossible to buy the other food items she would require to cook her meal.
Another housewife, Ada Madu, said that a basket of tomatoes might cost anywhere between N20,000 to N22,000 depending on the freshness and species.
“Before this, I would have paid between N6,000 and N8,500 for it; this is just too much, and to top it off, roughly four pieces are being sold for N200,” Madu added.
Another customer, Chineye Egbo, claimed she paid between N1,000 and N1,300 for a custard-bucket of Garri, depending on the brand, a condition she described as “not good.
Mrs Ogonna Eze, a trader at Kpirikpiri market who reacted to the customers’ complaints, sympathized with them and stated that they were not to blame for the price increase in food.
