Abuja Residents Lament Soaring Food Costs

Several residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have voiced their distress regarding the escalating cost of food items in markets throughout the area. They characterise the current economic climate as making it exceedingly challenging for families with modest or average incomes.

In separate discussions with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, these individuals indicated that the persistent surge in food prices has significantly diminished the quality of life for numerous families.

A survey conducted by NAN across various FCT markets, including Dutse, Nyanya, and Gwagwalada, revealed substantial price increases for both perishable goods and essential food staples.

Reports from NAN indicate that a paint bucket of tomatoes, which previously retailed between N2,000 and N2,500 in February, is now priced between N3,000 and N3,500. Similarly, a large basket of tomatoes that once sold for N25,000 is now fetching N40,000 or more.

Furthermore, a kilogramme of meat, a crucial protein source for many households, has seen its price climb from N7,000 to N8,000 in most marketplaces.

A small paint bucket of garri now costs between N2,100 and N2,500, depending on its quality. A mudu (a traditional measuring unit) of garri, previously N500, now ranges from N700 to N800, with prices varying by type.

Miss Larai Agaba, an FCT resident from Dutse-Alhaji, linked the price hikes to increased consumer demand during the Ramadan and Sallah periods, coupled with fuel price increases and the approaching Easter festivities.

She explained that residents are left with limited options: either pay the inflated prices for food or reduce the quantity and variety of meals they prepare.

Agaba urged relevant authorities to alleviate the financial strain on Nigerians, highlighting that incomes have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

Mr Chris Haggai, a civil servant residing in Nyanya, described the situation as unbearable, stating that his monthly salary is no longer sufficient to cover his family's essential needs.

“What we used to purchase for N10,000 cannot sustain us for a week anymore.

“We are now cutting down on portion sizes and sometimes skipping meals, but it’s still not enough because new items with higher prices emerge daily. It’s becoming unbearable,” Haggai remarked.

Mrs Aisha Nagogo, a mother of four in Gwagwalada, shared that she paid approximately N1,600 for a mudu of beans earlier this year, compared to N1,200 previously.

Nagogo mentioned that she has shifted to buying food items in smaller quantities because her income no longer supports bulk purchases.

She added, “We now buy in cups instead of mudus. Even tomatoes and pepper have become too expensive, and feeding a large family is not easy anymore; it's a daily struggle.”

She appealed to all government levels to intervene by enhancing transportation infrastructure, addressing fuel prices, and stabilising food supply chains to mitigate worsening food insecurity.

Meanwhile, some traders have attributed the price increases to elevated transportation expenses, security challenges in agricultural areas, and fluctuations in food availability.

Malam Abubakar Nasidi, a tomato vendor in Gwagwalada, noted that the cost of transporting goods from rural areas to Abuja has doubled in recent months.

He stated, “This is not intentional; we are not happy about increasing prices, but we have no alternative. Everything, from transport to storage, is very expensive now.

“Transportation is the primary issue because we source these goods from outside Abuja, and fuel costs have risen, leaving us with no other option.

“Customers complain daily, and sales have decreased. We are also not making as much profit as before because our expenses are higher than anticipated.”

He expressed optimism that a reduction in fuel prices would lead to a decrease in food costs.

Similarly, Malam Sadiq Ahmed, a yam seller, reported that the price of yams has increased from a range of N5,000 to N6,000 to between N7,500 and N10,000, depending on the size.

Ahmed attributed this rise to increased transportation costs from neighbouring states, observing that many consumers are now opting for less expensive alternatives or buying smaller portions.

He cautioned that if inflation is not controlled and local food production is not strengthened, food prices are likely to continue their upward trend, exacerbating economic hardship for citizens.

Ahmed also urged the Federal Government to address challenges related to fuel prices to help stabilise the national economy. (NAN)