Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Nigerians decry 40% hike in price of rice

The price has increased by over 40 percent within eight months, according to a market survey.

• October 30, 2020
Bags of rice used to illustrate the story
Bags of rice used to illustrate the story

The soaring cost of rice, a staple food in Nigeria is drawing complaints from residents, particularly in Enugu.

On Friday, some of the marketers interviewed by NAN across major markets in Enugu metropolis said the commodity has become so expensive, saying the price has increased by over 40 percent within eight months.

Felicia Igbokwe, a rice seller at Ogbete main market said that a 50kg bag of locally ‘destoned’ rice is now sold between N23, 000 to N28, 000 up from the N16,000 it was sold in January.

Mrs. Igbokwe added that a bag of 25kg which was sold for N8,000 some months back is now sold for N16,000 per bag.

Another rice seller at New Market, Okwy Ilechukwu disclosed that the price of foreign rice has equally gone up.

Mr. Ilechukwu said that a 50kg of foreign rice is now N39,000 up from N27,000 while the N25kg is N18,000 from the previous price of N13,000.

Meanwhile, some residents expressed concern over increase in the price of the commodity saying that the ban on rice importation has brought scarcity and high cost of the commodity.

Helen Nnaji, a civil servant, said that many Nigerians believe that by now, rice would have become surplus after the ban on rice importation.

“Many people thought that with the ban on rice importation and the Federal Government’ intervention in rice production, the common man will be able to buy rice at an affordable price.

“The purpose for which the border was closed has been totally defeated as rice is now [too] expensive for the masses,’’ Ms. Nnaji lamented. 

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Ex U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman

World

Joe Lieberman, U.S. senator who was Al Gore’s vice-presidential candidate, dies at 82

The Jewish politician, who recently championed a so-called no-label movement to challenge the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S., was public about his ties to faith.

Rivers CP, Olatunji Disu

Port Harcourt

Juju priest, 25 others arrested for car theft in Rivers

“Our greatest joy is the arrest of Chidozie Anthony Onyekwe and Kelechi Igwe.”

Pius Ayim

NationWide

Ayim urges IPAC to ensure accountability, good leadership in political parties

“These are the challenges and the new leadership of IPAC must rise up to the occasion.”

Wadata House, PDP National Secretariat

Politics

Ondo 2024: PDP screens seven governorship aspirants

He said that the committee would present its report to the party after the conclusion of the exercise.

National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje

NationWide

APC, PDP, LP, others lack identity, ideology: Ganduje

He said that the situation must change for the better.