Traders and households in Lagos are faced with trying times as a result of rising costs of living in the country. Consequently, they called on the government to urgently address the situation.
While households complained that they lacked money to meet up with the high cost of goods, traders lamented low patronage, saying the high cost of goods and foodstuff have pushed buyers away.
The Guardian visited some markets in the metropolis where Lagosians poured out lamentations. A food vendor at Ago Palace Way, Peculiar Nwaeze, said the high cost of goods has limited her sales and income. She recalled that last year, a basket of tomatoes which was sold at N12,000 has now increased to N100,000. She said the increase made it difficult for the poor to feed and also affected her ability to provide the needs of her family.
A dealer in household items at Itire market, Bisi Akinwale, complained that a tin of Dano milk, which went for N3,500 last year, had increased to N4,800.
She said: “I am not happy with this current administration and what the economy is offering the citizens. Things have become so difficult. I urge the government to look into the matter and improve the economy of the country to make things better for the masses.
“The situation is not funny. People are dying, and things have become difficult for us. The government should look into this as soon as possible.” Another seller, who sells provisions, Obinna Nwogbala, also lamented how the worsened economic situation and high cost of living was affecting his business.
He said a carton of Indomie noodles which was sold at N7,500 had jumped to N16,000. He said a packet of spaghetti which used to sold for N10,500 had increased to N16,000.
He fumed at how the current leadership had made it difficult for people to afford three square meals daily, especially since the subsidy on fuel was removed. He noted that a bucket of garri that sold for N1,500 last year now sells between N3000 and N3,500.
“We want the government to look into this matter and help improve the infrastructures that the citizens can use to aid the provision of food in the country. If this can be done, the country’s economic status will improve greatly improved.”
There will be a rise in exportation of goods and services to other countries,” he said. Similarly, when The Guardian visited markets in the Ayobo area of Lagos, the traders lamented low patronage, while the consumers lamented their inability to procure most household goods.
A dried-pepper seller, Salisu Abdur-raheem, explained that households now use dry pepper and dry tomatoes as substitute because they couldn’t afford fresh ones.
