A growing number of residents in Abuja have voiced their frustration over the skyrocketing cost of goods and services, attributing the surge to the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The pump price has risen dramatically, leaving many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.
Speaking in separate interviews on Tuesday, concerned citizens lamented the heavy burden placed on everyday life, especially the cost of basic commodities like rice, beans, millet, and yam. The steep hike has taken a toll on both the average citizen and low-income earners, many of whom are finding it increasingly difficult to survive.
Mrs. Grace Dariya, a civil servant, expressed deep disappointment over the situation, noting that many Nigerians had been looking forward to a reduction in food prices as new crops like yam and corn were harvested. However, the sudden fuel price hike shattered those hopes.
“Every day you go to the market, prices of foodstuffs keep soaring, and yet there is no money to meet the rising cost of things,” Dariya lamented.
The fuel price increase to over ₦855 per liter has had a ripple effect across various sectors, as businesses, landlords, and service providers adjust their prices to cope with rising operational costs. Mr. Ahmed Yusuf, a resident of Kubwa, pointed out that this inflation is evident across the board, from school fees to transportation fares.
“Since the petrol price increased, everything else followed. Life is becoming more challenging, especially for civil servants and low-income earners in Abuja,” Yusuf stated.
Yusuf, who used to drive to work, has been forced to switch to public transportation to save on fuel costs. “I used to spend ₦15,000 on petrol for the entire month, but now ₦40,000 barely lasts me a week. So I had no choice but to park my car and start using public transport,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by Mrs. Ifeoma Chukwu, a retired police officer, who criticized the government for not considering the plight of the masses before raising the pump price. Chukwu highlighted that since the advent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there have been multiple fuel price hikes, each causing more hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
“Since this government came into power, the pump price has been increased at least three times. The most recent one has been especially painful for most Nigerians. We appeal to Mr. President to consider the suffering masses and possibly revert to the old price before things get even worse,” Chukwu pleaded.
The fuel price increase has led to a significant rise in transportation costs, further exacerbating the cost of living. Many public transport operators have raised fares, and for many Abuja residents, getting to work or traveling across the city has become a daily financial struggle.
Artisans and small business owners are also feeling the pinch, as the cost of running generators to power their businesses has more than doubled, resulting in increased prices for their goods and services. This has left customers with fewer options and less disposable income to spend on basic needs.
The overall economic outlook remains grim, with food prices increasing daily. Many Nigerians who once lived on modest incomes now find themselves unable to afford staple foods. A survey of local markets in Abuja showed that the price of rice, a dietary staple for most Nigerians, has nearly doubled since the fuel hike. The situation is no different for other essential items like cooking oil, beans, and vegetables.
This hardship has particularly hit civil servants, pensioners, and low-income earners, who now face a harsh reality of stagnant wages and rising expenses. Many fear that without government intervention, the situation could become even more dire, pushing more Nigerians into poverty.
As the situation worsens, calls for government intervention grow louder. Economists and social commentators have suggested several measures, including revisiting the pricing of petroleum products or introducing palliative measures like subsidies or targeted relief programs for vulnerable groups.
For now, Abuja residents, like many across Nigeria, are left grappling with the high cost of living, as the price of petrol continues to dictate the cost of goods, services, and overall quality of life.
