Hardship: Abuja Housewives Share Their Lamentations

Some  housewives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have decried the high cost of living in the territory and Nigeria in general lamenting that it was compounding the hardship faced by many in Nigeria.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that it was becoming almost impossible for them  to feed and care for their families.

They said there was a need for  an urgent intervention  by the  Federal Government to bring sucour to  them.

According to them, after the removal of subsidy on petrol, many families have been struggling to make ends meet.

A civil servant, Alice Shembe, decried the continued depreciation of the naira, which had led to much money being spent on few goods in the economy.

`As the value of  our currency continues to decline, imported goods have become more expensive, leading to higher prices across  board.

“ This affects household budgets and undermines local industries’ competitiveness, perpetuating a cycle of economic hardship.

“With each passing month, our salaries become  worthless and  Inflation  destroying our purchasing power, leaving us struggling to afford even the basic necessities.”

Shembe said that there was the need to urgently address the situation  before it is too late.

I am  happy the committee on the new minimum wage has started deliberating.

“I pray they act fast and the relevant authority also acts quickly to review workers’ salaries to enable us to make ends meet,” she said.

Bimbo Adetunde, another of the Abuja housewives and a mother of four said that the ever increasing   inflation had eroded the purchasing power of Nigerians and compounded the hardship being faced..

“The rising cost of living has put so much pressure on our family’s finances because I am a full-time housewife who brings little or nothing to the table.

“Because of inflation, it is difficult to afford basic commodities and amenities like food, water, drugs and light.

“With the soaring  prices of goods and services, providing for our children’s needs is becoming increasingly difficult.

“I pray the government intervenes on these issues before we all die of hunger in this country.

Mrs Ngozi Okonkwo, a small business owner, said the recent removal of fuel subsidy without a commensurate cushion strategy,  has a direct impact on essential goods and services.

According to Okonkwo, the  continuous increase in prices of goods  has left many families helpless and unable to cope with the added financial strain.

“As a businesswoman, I know first hand how the removal of fuel subsidies has affected consumer spending.

“ People are more cautious with their little money which has negatively impacted on our sales as well.

“We need the government and relevant stakeholders to develop policies that support both businesses and consumers, especially during these challenging times,” she said.

Kelechi Ajuwan, a graduate of Public Administration who joined the ranks of Abuja full-time housewives after she gave up on searching for a job after eight years, said:

“I gave up my search for a job after eight years without results. So, my family has been surviving on my husband’s income.

“I must say that the times have become very tough. The cost of goods has skyrocketed, and it is even becoming very difficult for many families to plan for tomorrow.

“ So it is imperative that the government takes decisive action to address these challenges and alleviate the burden on ordinary citizens.

Blessing Eze, a trader, said the government should increase its efforts to promote local production, control product pricing and reduce reliance on imports.

“I have seen how rising prices have affected my customers. People are cutting back on their purchases, opting for cheaper alternatives or buying in smaller quantities.

“It is a tough situation for everyone, and we need solutions that will address the root causes of these problems,” Eze said.

Esther Luka, a businesswoman who run a non-governmental organisation, said it would take the collective efforts of Nigerians to tackle the current economic crises.

Luka said the solidarity and cooperation of all stakeholders, whether government, businesses, civil society or individuals was paramount.

“We all need to come together to pursue solutions that will alleviate the suffering of our fellow citizens and ensure a brighter future for everyone.

“I think the time for action is now. We need to work together to  build a more resilient and prosperous Nigeria where every family can thrive, “she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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