Traders and consumers, who have been hard hit by the skyrocketing prices of food items, are worried that the Ramadan fast that began on Monday may worsen the situation as prices of food items and fruits are usually on the high side during this period.
Respondents, who spoke separately with Daily Independent, called on governments at all levels to see to this and find a lasting solution to the issue of high cost of food items.
They lamented that majority of households these days can no longer have three square meals as many have resulted to skipping meals.
They said prices of items like rice, beans, garri and others are increasing daily.
Some of the traders lamented that their businesses have dropped because of low purchasing power of consumers across the country.
Jennifer Nwosu, human rights advocate, who is the Executive Director of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, said that food prices are soaring and that with the advent of the Ramadan, it does not look like its slowing down.
“Consumable staples are essential but even the essentials seem to be luxuries because of the price surge. Traders complain that their suppliers expend a lot to transport the food items to the wholesalers hence, the retailers also have to consider their profits to be made and so, the end consumer is paying about thrice what they would have paid on foodstuffs as of three months ago”, Nwosu noted.
She urged the government to help ameliorate the current situation so that Muslims can afford food for themselves and their families
“We urge the government to help ameliorate the current situation so that Muslims and non-Muslims alike can afford food for themselves and their families,” she said.
Kehinde Ajibola, a mother of three, lamented that the price of food items is gradually getting out of hands and that the government should have pity on Nigerians and find solution to the issue of insecurity which is the major cause of food insecurity in the country.
She advised the government to allow food importation at this time of Ramadan to ease the tension of high cost of food prices.
Abosede Ajayi, another consumer, lamented that the price hike is affecting everyone in the country at the moment, noting that no one is spared.
She said that prices of basic items such as rice, garri, beans, spaghetti, and the likes have continued to increase beyond control.
Ahmed Bello, a fruit seller, lamented that prices of fruits before now have been on the high side.
He said that now that the Ramadan has begun, there is the possibility that the prices will still increase.
When asked why he said that, he said he cannot give any reason, but that it has been a yearly occurrence which no one can state why it is so.
Another fruit seller, Molayo Kareem, who just came back from the Ketu market where she went to buy fruits to sell, explained that the banana she bought for N20,000 before now worth N5,000.
“I don’t know where we are going in this country again. See the banana that I bought from the market, I have not added my transport to it, how do I sell this. Well as we all know it is what I buy that I will sell. I just pray that God will help at this time.
“There is no money, there is no food, where do we go from here,” she queried.
Tijani Rafiu, a meat seller, said that the masses are really suffering; stressing that it seems the government is not doing anything to alleviate their travails.
“Garri, which was the food of the poor before now, is like gold. We cannot afford to buy it. We are not benefitting anything from this government. We want the government to do something urgently before things get out of hand,” he said.
Another consumer, who does not want her name in print, said that rice at the moment is a no go area, as it is now beyond the reach of an ordinary Nigerian.
“Rice which used to be N60,000 per bag in December is now within N86,000 and N90,000 at the moment.
“We are now skipping meals; we could no longer afford to eat three times a day. I want to appeal to our president to have mercy on us, so that we will not die of hunger, because, things are really happening, which is not good to hear.
“President Tinubu should do something urgently before things get out of hands,” she said.
Market survey revealed that a 50kg bag of foreign rice now sells between N86,000 and N90,000 while the Nigerian rice now sells for N79,000.
A paint of garri now sells for N3,000, spaghetti now sells for N1100-N1200 depending on the brand.
A 5kg of Semo now sells for N7,000, while an egg goes for N150 to N200 depending on the size.
