Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to lament about the harsh economic policies which they say is impacting their livelihoods negatively.
Those who spoke in a survey on Sunday in Abuja said they have been experiencing hardship from the impact of recent economic policies.
They particularly complained about the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to a sharp rise in the cost of living, causing widespread complaints about high food prices, transportation costs, and general economic hardship.
According to them, this has made it difficult for them to afford basic necessities.
The most prominent complaint is the dramatic increase in prices of food items, fuel, and other essential goods, directly impacting household budgets.
The relaxation of foreign exchange restrictions has also led to a devaluation of the Naira, further reducing purchasing power.
The economic hardship is particularly affecting low-income families, civil servants and individuals who are struggling to meet basic needs.
A Pharmacist, Ibrahim Abbas, said the cost of medicines and other medical services have affected ordinary Nigerians, forcing most to seek alternative treatment.
Abbas said the removal of fuel subsidy and hike in electricity tariff had affected the cost of drugs badly.
“The situation is so bad that most patients can no longer afford preventive medicines for certain ailments. Everything is so expensive now,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to revisit some of these policies in the interest of ordinary Nigerians.
A civil servant, Aisha Musa, said that federal civil servants were the worst hit by the harsh realities of the policies.
“The removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the Naira have left civil servants poorer, as our take-home pay can no longer take us home.
“Even the minimum wage which civil servants expected to give them some succour has had very little or no impact at all.
“Imagine the Federal Government approving N70,000 as minimum wage only to add N40,000 to salaries of all categories of workers, instead of the usual consequential adjustments. That is unfair,” she said.
A trader, Bashir Mustapha, said he had to increase the price of his commodities due to the increase in transportation fare and other logistics, adding that the step had resulted in low patronage. (NAN)
