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Three days to Christmas, food prices, transport fares hit the roof

Published

2 weeks ago

December 22, 2024

Three days to Christmas, food prices, transport fares hit the roof

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ,UDHR, Article 25(1), everyone has the right to standard of living adequate for their health and well-being, which includes access to food, clothing, and housing.

Similarly, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ,ICESCR, Article 11 emphasizes the right to an adequate standard of living, including sufficient food.

Furthermore, the Covenant recognizes the fundamental right to be free from hunger and advocates for measures both individual and international to eliminate hunger.

It is widely acknowledged that inadequate food availability can lead to health issues, as food is as essential to health as air is to breathing.

The situation is exacerbated by the rising costs of healthcare, which are increasingly out of reach for many due to ongoing inflation.

Difficult situations

In Nigeria, harsh economic conditions are forcing households into difficult situations, with many going to bed hungry due to skyrocketing food prices. With Christmas just three days away, our correspondents visited local food markets in Lagos and Abuja to see how citizens are coping with the rising cost of goods and services.

In the locations, buyers and sellers expressed their frustrations over the increasing prices of food items.

At Agric Market in Ikorodu, Mummy Somto, lamented that she had never witnessed such high prices in her lifetime.

She noted that a chicken that cost N15,000 last year now sells for N35,000, with only older layers available for N15,000.

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“What will that do for my family? We have never seen it like this in Nigeria. I hope this hope is the hope,” she said.

At Mile 12 International Market, trucks filled with perishable goods such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, cabbages, and other vegetables were lined up for unloading while eager buyers waited nearby.

When asked about the high prices despite the abundance of food, truck owner Alhaji Shehu, explained that the situation arose from expenses related to diesel, farm security, police and military checkpoints before reaching Lagos.

He mentioned spending between N500,000 and N800,000 per truck, which inevitably raises prices.
“This is our business, and we are not pleased with the high costs either. If I sell my goods, I still need to buy what I don’t sell. It’s suffocating us. I also commend the buyers,” Shehu added.

Bags of rice

Mrs. Bukky Osagie, a rice vendor at Mike 12, shared her concerns about escalating prices: “Last December, a bag of rice was between N65,000 and N70,000. Today, it’s from N95,000 depending on the brand. Traders are exhausted. People are buying half bags because they can’t afford full ones. They also need to buy additional items. How do people survive this trend? This has to stop if the government truly cares for its citizens.”

At Daleko Market, Mrs. Hannah, was seen pricing vegetable oil when she declared, “Whether the devil likes it or not, we will celebrate with our families and share love during this season. We will just have to adjust our spending according to our means.”

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As of the time of filing this report, a 25-liter container of vegetable oil was selling for between N86,000 and N95,000 depending on the brand.

Garri was priced at N56,000, while Ijebu Gaari was N58,000.

A carton of satchel tomatoes ranged from N8,800 to N9,200 while a pack of spaghetti cost N23,000.
70 grams of noodles were priced between N9,800 and N10,500. A roll of curry or thyme sold for N550 each, while small bulbs of onion reached as high as N200, making them almost unaffordable for many.

Christmas cheer

In Abuja, soaring food prices and steep transportation costs are casting a shadow over Christmas celebrations for many families.

The cost of essential holiday items, such as poultry, has surged, with chickens priced between ¦ 15,000 and ¦ 25,000, and turkeys reaching up to ¦ 130,000 in some markets.

Sunday Vanguard learned that rising feed prices, transportation costs, and supply chain disruptions are driving these increases.

Additionally, a 50-kg bag of rice now costs between ¦ 94,000 and ¦ 125,000, a significant leap from previous months.

Transportation fares have also skyrocketed, with transport fare from Abuja to major cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu increasing from 15 percent to 35 percent in the past month.

For instance, a trip from Abuja to Lagos by road, which previously cost ¦ 28,000–¦ 35,000, now ranges between ¦ 46,500 and ¦ 60,000.

Three days to Christmas, food prices, transport fares hit the roof

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Related Topics:Christmas food prices Transport fares

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Privatise Port Harcourt, Warri refineries, PETROAN tells FG

Published

23 minutes ago

January 4, 2025

Trends Admin

Port Harcourt Refinery

Privatise Port Harcourt, Warri refineries, PETROAN tells FG

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has requested the Federal Government to privatise the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries in 2025 to firms for efficiency and reduction of government spendings.

It made the request in a document titled: “To whom It may concern,” which The Nation obtained from Abuja on Saturday.

The document was signed by the National President, Billy Hary; Secretary, Barr Adedibu Aderibigbe, and Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele.

In its recommendations, the association said: “Based on PETROAN’s observations, the following recommendations are made to

ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the downstream sector in 2025:. “Privatization of Nigerian-Owned Refineries: Privatize Nigerian-owned refineries, such as the Warri and Kaduna refineries, to reputable private companies to improve efficiency and reduce government spending.”

It further noted that privatisation of the plants would foster a competitive market by encouraging new entrants and promoting a level playing field to prevent monopolies and ensure fair pricing.

It said it would enhance transparency and accountability.

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PETROAN also requested President Ahmed Tinubu to save the businesses of 10,000 oil and gas marketers with N100billion intervention.

This followed the perceived job losses due to the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol subsidy.

The document said: “PETROAN request for a grant of ₦100 billion from President Bola Tinubu to help prevent the closure of 10,000 marketers’ businesses.

” The request is in response to the threat of job losses that would result from the removal of the fuel subsidy.”

PETROAN also urged the government to address cross-border smuggling of petroleum products by collaborating

with neighbouring countries to strengthen border security and prevent

smuggling, and also utilize digital tracking systems to monitor petroleum

products from refineries to retail outlets.

The association further asked the government to prioritise local refineries’ access to crude oil to boost Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

Privatise Port Harcourt, Warri refineries, PETROAN tells FG

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How I escaped death after my 14-year-old bride poisoned my meal – Jigawa man

Published

31 minutes ago

January 4, 2025

Trends Admin

How I escaped death after my 14-year-old bride poisoned my meal – Jigawa man

A 34-year-old man has shared the story of how he narrowly escaped death while his friend lost his life after his 14-year-old bride poisoned their meal two days after their wedding.

Kamisu Haruna recounted that the incident occurred on December 22 at his home in Albasu village, Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

According to Haruna, after marrying Zahra’u Dauda on December 20 in Kiyawa Local Government Area, he brought his young bride to his residence.

Two days later, as the wedding guests had departed, Zahra’u reportedly sent some of her friends to deliver food to him and his companions around 10pm.

“On Sunday night (December 22), after the wedding guests had dispersed to their various homes, my friends were preparing to take me to the bride’s room. Suddenly, we saw her friends coming towards a nearby shop where we were sitting. They came with cooked spaghetti with beef and said the bride sent them to give us the food.

“While eating the food, we noticed a taste of chemicals and stopped eating, suspecting the food was poisoned. Then we started feeling stomach ache.

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“We took milk, but our condition kept worsening. We were rushed to the hospital where my friend, Muhammad Alpha, was confirmed dead,” the groom narrated to a reporter who visited the village.

Haruna alleged that his wife had been influenced by her former lover, who he claimed supplied her with the poison.

“After the wedding in Kiyawa, she (the bride) told me she would go back to her town to collect her belongings. It was there that her former boyfriend gave her the poison and asked her to put it in my food,” he alleged.

The groom also denied accusations of coercing his bride into the marriage, maintaining that Zahra’u genuinely loved him but was misled by her ex-boyfriend due to her inexperience.

“Everyone can testify that we are true lovers. What happened is just our destiny and due to her little experience of life.

“She is still my wife even though her action led to the death of my friend. We prayed for the repose of his soul, and the law enforcement agencies should do justice for all of us,” Haruna said.

Jigawa State Police spokesperson, Lawan Adam, confirmed the incident, stating that Zahra’u, a resident of Bagata Gabas village, conspired with her former lover, 22-year-old Lawan Musa of Bagata Gabas Yamma village, to poison her husband’s food.

“The husband and his two friends ate the food together, and as a result, they both developed stomachaches.

“Victims were rushed to the hospital, where one of the groom’s friends was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on call. The case is under investigation,” the police spokesperson said.

How I escaped death after my 14-year-old bride poisoned my meal – Jigawa man

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Tinubu to Enugu Gov: You’re a good thinker

Published

41 minutes ago

January 4, 2025

Trends Admin

Enugu State governor Mr Peter Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to Enugu Gov: You’re a good thinker

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Enugu State governor, Mr Peter Mbah over massive infrastructural projects in the state.

Tinubu arrived in Enugu State on Saturday on a working visit to unveil various projects by the state government.

The president, while commending the governor, said: “You’re a good thinker, Mbah. You’re my friend. We can go places together, building Nigeria, building the future, using technology to build and promote investment.

“We must encourage the private sector to come into politics.”

Special Assistant on Social Media to President Tinubu, Dada Olusegun, disclosed this in a series of posts on X, Saturday.

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Dada wrote, “President Bola Tinubu touched down at the Enugu airport on a working visit to commission various projects by the state government.

“He was received by Peter Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State.

“President Bola Tinubu commissions the 135K road in Enugu Metropolis. PBAT says infrastructure is the backbone of development, congratulates Enugu Governor.”

Addressing Mbah during the event, Tinubu was quoted as saying, “Enugu is achieving great heights. Building our tomorrow, today. A leader like Governor Peter Mbah placing Enugu on the path of 21st-century development.

“You’re a good thinker, Mbah. You’re my friend. We can go places together. Building Nigeria. Building the future. Use technology to build. Promote investment. We must encourage the private sector to come into politics.”