By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are groaning under the high cost of basic food items in the markets just as price of bread, a common snack of everyone is increasing by the day.
A 900 gramme net weight loaf of bread now sell for N600 in Abuja metropolis, up from the old price of N400 since January this year. A smaller size of 400g loaf of bread earlier sold for N150 is now N250.
Aside bread, a bottle of fried local peanuts (groundnuts) which sold for N400 up to April is currently sold for N700 just as prices of other basic food items in daily markets, corner shops and supermarkets in Abuja have skyrocketed.
Prompt News can confirm that prices of beverages, fruits, vegetables and other dairy products have gone beyond the reach of the poor, middle class and the well-to-do in the society.
Also, it is no longer news that the spiraling inflation in Nigeria which has seen the naira falling like “yoyo” in both official and parallel markets, trigger escalation of prices of yam tubers, rice, beans and even garri in FCT.
Mrs. Perpetual Harrison, owner of Jenny & Sammy Stores at Kubusa Market in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), said a 4 litre gallon of palm oil which sold for N3,500 as at February is now selling for N4,200.
According to her: “Prices of almost every foodstuff and condiments have increased because our suppliers have also increased the prices of the goods they supply to us. By the time we calculate our expenses especially when we order the goods from other parts of the federation, we have to increase our prices too”.
Hajia Sa’adatu Hassan, a store owner at Garki Market in FCT, said prices of the staple food items in the markets across the FCT have increased astronomically in the recent time.
She said if government fails to arrest the situation, poor people will no longer bear the brunt of spiraling inflation.
