Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have continued to express concern over the endless rise prices of foodstuff and other edibles daily, especially with the yuletide approaching.

Some of the residents who spoke in separate interviews on Friday said that prices of most food items were unaffordable for an average citizen.

While some say that buying the items ahead may help families survive during the yuletide, others lamented the lack of financial resources to do so.

A public servant and resident of Bwari, Adamu Bello, said that the situation was becoming worrisome, especially in local communities where three square meals was now a luxury.

He said, “It is getting worse daily; people can hardly feed three times a day and even though they try to manage resources to buy what they can afford. Only those with enough money can buy foodstuff in bulk now to save cost in the coming festive season and how many have the money with all the high bills to pay.’’

He urged the government to intervene to find lasting solutions to the rising cost of food.

A businesswoman, Esther Awoniyi, said the prices of rice, cooking oil and others have risen above the salaries of many workers, making it difficult for them to buy in bulk.

She said that in the past, many would have bought bags of rice and other food items in September and October, in preparation for the Christmas celebration.

According to her, with the hard economic situation, people are merely struggling to make ends meet as prices of food items keep increasing due to inflation.

“There’s too much to worry about but food is paramount, as Nigerians, we will always find ways to survive the festivity. We are hopeful that the prices of some items may reduce by December but the money may not be sufficient to buy as much as we used to or intend to. As it is now, many of my customers say they do not intend to buy now because they may end up eating everything before the yuletide,’’ she said.

Also, a resident, Dr Anu David, said that the price of rice, which is the country’s staple food, has risen above the minimum wage of an average worker.

According to her, the incessant increase in prices of food items has affected the eating habit in many homes and likely, affecting the nutritional balance of growing children.

She said there was no need for Nigerians to be anxious about the cost of living in the remaining months.

Ms David said that those who could afford to buy and store now should do so while the price was favourable.

Besides, another resident, David Zhwahu, said that in spite of the prices of the food items, he had bought and stored ahead of the yuletide.

He said, “This cost me a lot because it was like twice the price of some of the items. I bought a bag of Nigerian grown rice for N86, 000 then, now it is almost N100, 000. Not everyone has the money available to buy and store because there may be other pressing issues at hand. I had to buy them with my savings to avoid the price hike and truly it is becoming unpredictable. I believe the prices of food items may drop by December because of harvest.”

(NAN)