Residents in Kano State have expressed worry over the rising prices of food commodities and other consumables in the state.
Investigations by the 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE have revealed that the price hike was being carried out on a daily basis.
According to a father of 6, Malam Gambo Mubammed, who is a civil servant, said the continuous rising of commodity prices has become so worrisome as people now find it very difficult to survive due to the inflation.
“Honestly, there is a need for the concerned authorities to do something on the current prices of commodities in the market,” he said, adding that a measure of tomato sold at N800 two weeks ago, now goes for N2,000 to N2,500, a measure of millet now sells at N800 while a measure of rice now sells between N1, 800 and N2,000. A packet of spaghetti is now selling at N350 to N400 each, while the carton is selling at N6,700 to N7,800 depending on the brand. It is apparent that many people are currently finding it very difficult to eat due to these unprecedented hikes in prices and there is an urgent need for authorities to do something quick,” he said.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE confirmed that 50kg of refined sugar is now selling at N38,500 as against N33,000 sold last two weeks, a 50kg bag of made in Nigerian rice is now selling at N33,800 to N36,500 depending on the brand, a big basket of tomato sold at less than N15, 000 two weeks ago is now selling between N45,000 and N50,000.
However, a major sugar dealer in Kano State, Alhaji Muhammadu Adakawa, told the 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE that the recent increase in sugar price was temporary, assuring that the price will crash soon.
Another resident Hudu Nura, who is a driver, said he is finding it very difficult to feed his family despite earning N48,000. According to him, his monthly salary barely lasts two weeks, because he has to take care of four children, a wife, and two sisters.
“I am afraid that things may get worse considering what is happening now. Life is becoming so difficult day by day and due to the recent hike in food commodities, it is very hard for families to feed these days. My salary of N48,000 cannot last me two weeks. My two children and two of my sisters attend school plus other domestic expenses, and there are many people like me trying to make ends meet,” he lamented.”
A merchant at the Dawanau International grain market Alhaji Umaru Mai Wake Kwa, attributed the hike in food prices to last year’s flooding and the effect of the new Naira redesign policy, adding that the hike is inevitable but temporary as things will return to normal in due course.