By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Ahead of this week’s planned nationwide strike by the organised labour under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), prices of staple foods especially bread and snacks have skyrocketed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
This is even as traders; food and beverages sellers blamed the astronomical increase in market prices on the recent increase on the pump price of petrol following the removal of subsidy as announced by President Bola Tinubu last Monday.
Prompt News investigations revealed that prices of most of food items including bread and snacks have hit the roof top as Nigerians, like the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), have unilaterally increased the prices of staple foods.
Pump prices of petrol in Nigeria have risen from N194 before the subsidy removal announcement by Tinubu last Monday to the current N537 per litre.
A visit to most of the markets in Abuja especially the Wuse Market, Garki Market, Jabi Market and other markets within the metropolis, showed that prices of staple foods have risen by about 30% with bread the most noticed rise in price.
For example, a loaf of 850 gramme sliced bread which sold for N750 last week now sells for N1,000 in corner shops while it cost more at super markets.
Also, the sizes of beancake (akara) have not only reduced but increased in prices as the sellers claim the prices of beans and oil to fry the beancake have gone up in the market.
Other items that have seen increase in prices in the market in Abuja are edible oil, tomatoes, pepper, yam tubers, crawfish and food condiments as the sellers blamed the increase in prices on the rise of petrol pump price.
Madam Hannatu Hassan who owns a shop at Wuse market argued that increase in transport fares have added to the expenditure incurred by traders hence they transferred the cost to costumers.