The challenges facing our country today are as complex as they are worrying. The prevailing economic situation in Nigeria raises legitimate concerns and reveals realities that are hard to ignore. When even an Ijebu resident has difficulty in getting garri, a staple food that he or she would like to accompany with a slice of meat, a fillet of fish or a handful of peanuts, there is no denying that something is wrong. Recently, while back in Ijebu-Ode for a funeral, I stopped at the Oke-Aje popular market near the Muslim prayer ground to buy garri, a staple of my daily life.
Ijebu readers will surely understand, especially if they are used to eating homemade garri, like me. I particularly like this garri, which has a sweet and sour taste that tickles the taste buds when immersed in water. I was shocked to learn that the price of a bucket of garri has now reached N2,500. Previously, the same bucket cost about N450. Do you understand that? Since 2015, the year of promises of change, the price of garri has steadily increased from N450 to N2,500 today. This staggering inflation threatens to deprive many Nigerians of this simple but essential dish in their diet.
With a 50kg bag of rice now selling for N90,000, access to basic food has become a luxury for most citizens. It is not enough to buy rice; one also has to provide a sauce made of pepper and tomatoes, which have also become unaffordable. Not to mention the need to add protein to one’s meal, further increasing the bill for a single meal. In addition, commuting costs weigh heavily on the budgets of motorists who are seeing the price of petrol soar. The prospect of a further increase in fuel prices adds a layer of uncertainty to an already fragile economy. The issue of fuel subsidies is resurfacing, as their removal has had disastrous consequences on our economy.
Despite the palliative measures put in place by the government to mitigate the effects of the removal of subsidies, the situation is not improving. The distribution of bags of rice has not benefited the most vulnerable sections of society. Similarly, the initiative to switch to compressed natural gas (CNG) is struggling to convince motorists due to slow adoption and many apprehensions. Promises of CNG-powered buses are slow to materialize, casting doubt on the effectiveness of these temporary solutions.
In this context, we are witnessing a resurgence of criminal acts and a rise in delinquency, particularly among young people in search of means of subsistence.. It is imperative to revive the economy to provide dignified opportunities for citizens and curb these harmful behaviors. To this end, I appeal to the President to allocate the 450,000 barrels of oil earmarked for the local Dangote Refinery at a discounted price in naira to support local production and ease the financial burden on Nigerians.
In conclusion, it is time for concerted and pragmatic action to address the challenges that are hampering the well-being of our society. This is not just an economic crisis, but a crisis of confidence and hope. Decisions taken today will impact future generations; it is therefore imperative to act responsibly and decisively to put our country back on the path of progress and prosperity for all.