By Divine Sam
As Christmas 2024 arrives, many Nigerians are struggling with the soaring cost of transportation and food items, exacerbating the hardship caused by inflation. The situation is a consequence of several factors, including the removal of fuel subsidies earlier in the year, which significantly raised transportation fares. The surge in fares has led to a sharp increase in the cost of bus travel, with some routes now more than 50% higher than usual, making it unaffordable for many families to travel home for the holidays.
For instance, the fare from Abuja to Enugu has jumped from N20,000 to N35,000, and trips to other states, such as Port Harcourt and Lagos, have also seen significant hikes. This increase is driven by both the higher cost of fuel and a seasonal surge in demand, as many people travel to their villages for family reunions. In many cases, people are opting to send money home instead of traveling themselves, citing the high costs and financial strain.
Meanwhile, food prices have skyrocketed as well. Staple items like rice, yam, onions, and cooking oil have seen price increases of up to 100% compared to last year, further squeezing household budgets. For example, the price of a 50kg bag of rice has risen to N107,000, while vegetable oil has surged from N6,000 to N19,000. Even traditional foods like chicken, beans, and plantains are now unaffordable for many families, forcing them to reduce the scale of their festive meals.
This double whammy of transport and food price hikes has left many Nigerians feeling the pinch, with some lamenting the government’s inability to ease the burden during the holiday season. Despite this, many still consider it important to travel for the holiday, especially for family reunions, despite the prohibitive costs.
Leave a Reply