November 25, (THEWILL) – This year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations might be marked bereft of its colourful characteristics if the current prices of goods and services continue to soar high in Owerri, the Imo State capital and other parts of the country.
The situation, amid speculation that the pump price of petrol would be increased before December 2023, has sparked anxiety that the coming festive season could be marred by difficulties if the Federal government continues to watch the situation as it gets worse.
Barely a month to the celebration of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, a litre of fuel now sells at N680; while some filling stations in Owerri, at the Press time, were dispensing for N700 per litre.
Prices of foodstuffs, transportation fare, house rents and other goods and services have risen despite the cry-out by the general public to the federal and state governments to address the issue.
Although residents in other States across the country can also be said to be finding it uneasy over the current challenges.
THEWILL roving reporter, who went around Douglas Road, Relief, Orji, World Bank and Ekeonunwa markets, gathered that there were panic buying of bags of Rice, beans, cartons of indomie, Soup, stew condiments and other food items by residents.
In an interview with a motorcyclist, who operates within Orji Flyover bridge, Mr Nnawugo Anyanwu, told our reporter that the increased Petrol pump price has made him double the fare he charges to passengers depending, according to him, on the distance of destination.
A housewife, Mrs Augustina Gbazie, who was forced to speak on how would celebrate this Christmas festivity with her family members, said she was worried over the current hike in goods in the market.
Mrs Gbazie also regretted that this year’s Christmas may not be excitedly celebrated because of the hard times her family is facing feeding and provision of other family needs by her husband.
“Despite the situation of things, we are going to celebrate it. Let the government feel what we are going through. Nobody is impressed with the present situation. Please, come to our aid”.
A federal Civil servant, Mr Charles Nwosu, said the manner by which prices of liquid gas, fuel and other basic things the common man uses are getting high, has made him ask if there is still government.
“Imagine, bread is now out of it for some families these days because a loaf is about N1,500 which is always not enough for a family of five children. It is like you want them to go hungry for hours. I even heard some families now have to adopt feeding equations to make do”, Nwosu said.
An Owerri-based Fashion designer, Miss Luisa Okere, has this to say: “In September, this year, I filled my cooking gas cylinder at N750. The one I am using presently I filed it for N1,000 per kilogramme. Now, I don’t know how much I would fill it again.”
Okere continued, “And you want me to be happy as a Nigerian? I can only be happy to be alive but I regret being a Nigerian”, Okere lamented.
Speaking, the Imo State chapter, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Chidiebere Okoroafor, said the association would ensure there is no scarcity of fuel during the Christmas celebration.
Okoroafor, who was not willing to speak on whether the increased fuel pump price may be reduced, described it as a national issue.
When our reporter visited AA Rano Nigeria Limited, located along Onitsha Road, Owerri, the operation manager declined to grant an interview.
