By Precious Enegide
Obiaruku: Residents of Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State are consumed with the steady rise of cost of living in the area, especially as the yuletide is just few hours away.
A market survey of prices of food items and other consumables over a period of three market weeks in the local government headquarter and the environ showed a high rise in prices of bags of Rice, Garri, Oil and other food items and clothes.
A study at the Obiaruku modern market, which is the main source of cheap and varieties of goods in the local government between December 5, 2016 to December 21, 2016, showed that the price of rice which used to sell for N20, 000.00, is now N23, 000.00. Vegetable oil (Mamador), now sell for N3,800.00, instead of N3,300.00 few weeks ago, while the price of 20L of red oil which use sold for N23,000.00, is now N27,000.00
However the survey showed that while prices of these goods increased with high differences, price of a basin of garri, a locally processed product maintained a steady price of N8000.00. While a basket of fresh pepper is now N3, 500.00, instead of N2, 500.00
Consumers interviewed on the situation said they don’t know why, but attributed it to the devaluation of the naira. They however, asked that the government should do something about the situation, as many people cannot afford to spend the season conveniently, especially as many in the area are civil servants and salaries are not regular.
According to a commodity dealer in the market, Mr Monday Ossai “Do to increase in prices; patronage had been very low compared to previous years”. He said.
A woman who came to the market to buy children clothes for her three children said she was disappointed at the level of increase. “I came with the intention of buying clothes for my three children, now I could only buy one. Just disappointed. The situation is very critical. This Xmas will be the worst celebrated.” She said.
The general opinion of the people in Ukwuani shows that there is high disillusionment among the population, especially as schools will resume immediately after the New Year celebration.
