A few months ago, I made a post about the new government in Nigeria and the things Nigerians should expect. There are many misconceptions in the country today, as Nigerians don't know what should be done to better their lives. Different cases are arising every day that leave Nigerians dumbfounded, and the most awful part is that there is nothing the citizens can do about it other than accept whatever shade the government throws at them. In Nigeria today, we sleep and wake up with the hope that anything can come up anytime and any day.
A week ago, the price of petroleum took another turn, leaving Nigerians surprised at the increase, which happened overnight. As an unexpected change, Nigerians didn't react well to the change because they are yet to recover from the shock of the fuel subsidy removal. After the subsidy removal, there was an increase in the cost of living, and surviving became a bit difficult. People could no longer eat what they desired to eat, and eating three square meals seemed not to be for poor or average-income families. Only the rich seem to be eating three square meals in Nigeria today.
Petroleum was sold at #165 in the past government, and towards the end of their tenure, the price changed to #220. Some sold it at #250 immediately after the subsidy was removed, and the price skyrocketed to #515, while some filling stations sold it at #520 and #530, respectively. Last week, the price increased from #610 to #620, respectively, but some filling stations are lenient enough to sell for #595.
These days, people don't go out unnecessarily unless it's important because the prices of taxis and buses have increased. People going to work by public transport are all lamenting about the high prices and how they are affecting them. A transport fare from my house to my place of work was #150 (0.17 cents) when the fuel was sold at #165. When the fuel price increased to #220, my transport increased to #200 (0.23 cents), and now that the fuel is being sold for #610, my transport fare is #300 (0.35 cents), which I don't find funny because most of my money is being claimed by transport.
Foodstuffs are being sold at higher prices, and eating good food becomes difficult as people cannot afford that much; rather, they go for what their money can buy. A bag of rice that I asked for recently cost #36,000 ($42); not everyone can afford to buy a bag, but the people selling in a bit are also hyping the prices of their foodstuffs, and everyone blamed it on the high cost of petroleum, and as per their suppliers, they charged an outrageous amount of money for delivery. Before in this country, we bought a bag of 10kg of semovita for #1000, but in this present Nigeria, it is sold for #6800($8) through the exchange rate of #845 per $1. Many Nigerians do not eat Semovita again; they prefer to go for the locally made ones, which consist of white yam flour and corn mixed in a ratio of 2:1.
People are struggling to feed their families because food is an essential thing, as high as the fuel price is, the electricity supply would have been a solace to the citizens and give them the comfort they need by not buying fuel to power their generator sets but, unfortunately, there isn't stable power supply. We can go 3 to 4 days without having an electricity supply, people are left in darkness as 70% of citizens don't have enough to buy fuel for their generators. Other industries are bearing the brunt also because it is someone that can afford good food that will remember to buy the trending clothes and jewelry.
Going through all these bad phases, different questions began to arise again questioning the administration of the new president but as it is now, no reply has been given which means Nigerians don't know where the country is heading to. We can wake up tomorrow and the fuel price is #900, we wouldn't have a choice but to buy and keep murmuring as usual. The Nigerian currency is losing its value every day, and this is affecting the economy in a great way but the government didn't see anything bad in it, I guess as citizens we will have to deploy means to survive on our own and live a happy life till the solution will be provided to all the challenges we are facing in Nigeria.
Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.
