By Ambrose Ologide.
Rice , one of Nigeria’s staple food is getting out of the reach of the common man due to the continuous rise in its cost of price.
A survey on the market price of locally produced rice in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State at the time of filing this report, indicated that a bag of rice was sold for 55 thousand naira and above as against the cost 25 thousand naira which it was in the early months of this year.
The brands of locally produced rice which survey were carried on, included : Mango, Pretty Lady, African King and Famous.
The price of a bag of foreign rice ranged from 60 thousand naira and above as against the price 30 thousand naira which it was sold at the beginning of this year.
Some concerned residents who spoke to our correspondent , expressed concern on the issue , more so with the approach of the Yuletide .
A Warri based public analyst Chief Comrade Akpojotor Adjarho blamed former President Mohammedu Buhari for the increase in the price of rice.
He recalled that Buhari promised to make rice available at a cheaper price with the ban on importation of foreign rice and implementation of his agricultural to no avail. ” Rather things have now gone from bad to worse when compared to when President Goodluck Jonathan was in office.”
Adjarho who is a Udu Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain noted that ” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued with empty promises on rice ” he added.
However, Clifford Aruerosuo , an engineer expressed his concern beyond the increase in the price of rice as he took a swipe at state and federal governments on the prevailing increase in the prices of foodstuffs generally.
He identified corruption on the parts of government officials as the cause of increase in the prices of foodstuffs in Nigeria.
” Their so called agricultural and youth empowerment programs have amounted to nothing with the increase in the prices of foodstuffs.
” There are a lot of fertile lands for food production in Nigeria and a lot of qualified unemployed youths looking for jobs, yet there is a constant increase in the prices of foodstuffs. ”
A food vendor , Madam Vero Okomino stated that government has failed in its primary responsibilities of provision of food and shelter for the people.
” Food should be the first priority of government for the people .
“The state and federal governments have no reason to fail in making food available at a cheaper price for its citizenry .
” Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural and human but bereaved with good leaders ” she stated
Madam Okomino complained that the rising cost in price of rice and other foodstuffs had adversely affected her food vendor business.
” Patronage is low because most customers can not afford to patronize us because of the increase in the price of foodstuffs . More so with the removal oil subsidy.” She stated.
A young salesman who identified himself as Clifford Amayo also bemoaned the rising cost in prices of rice and other foodstuffs .
He attributed the rise in the prices of foodstuffs to the rise in crime rate as he noted that most impatient youths saw crime as a veritable means of survival.
All the respondents who spoke to our correspondent, called on both state and federal governments to remedify the situation in the interest of the Nigerian masses.
