RISING FOOD PRICES DEEPEN PRESSURE ON LOKOJA RESIDENTS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, have expressed concern over the rising prices of food and essential commodities, saying the increase is making it increasingly difficult for households to cope.
A market survey conducted at the Lokoja International Market showed that a bag of rice now sells for between N115,000 and N125,000, depending on the quality, while masa rice costs about N130,000. A bag of beans sells for N120,000, while soya beans cost N90,000.
The survey also showed that a bag of guinea corn sells for between N50,000 and N55,000, while white and yellow maize cost between N36,000 and N37,000. A bag of millet goes for between N50,000 and N55,000.
Prices of other food items have also increased, with a sack of sweet potatoes selling for about N35,000, Irish potatoes N70,000 and onions N110,000. A basket of tomatoes costs between N25,000 and N27,000, while fresh pepper ranges from N14,000 to N40,000, depending on the type and size.
Some consumers said the rising prices had forced them to reduce the quantity of food they buy. A customer, Iyabo Bolanle, said the situation was making it difficult for many families to afford regular meals.
A civil servant, Jeremiah Andrew, also appealed to the Kogi State Government to intervene through measures such as subsidies and policies aimed at reducing food prices and easing the economic burden on residents.