Following the recent nationwide hunger strikes dubbed #EndBadGovernance, Kaduna has seen a sharp increase in the cost of food and cooking gas.
Provisions, grains, and other staple foods are among the essential products whose prices are steadily rising in marketplaces and stores.
According to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) journalist in Kaduna on Monday, the cost of staple foods such rice, beans, yams, garri, and noodles has increased for the fourth time in 2024.
As per the example given in the article, the cost of one kilogram of cooking gas at certain gas stations in Kaduna City has increased to N1,400 from its previous range of N1,100 to N1,120 in July.
A 50kg bag of imported rice, which was once going for about N79,000 at Kaduna’s central market, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Market, is now selling for between N86,000 and N90,000. In the same vein, yams that were previously selling for N5,000 each have suddenly increased to N7,000, with a set of five selling for N28,000.
Eight cups of beans, a native measure, used to sell for between N2,000 and N2,500; a measure of garri, on the other hand, used to sell for between N1,400 and N1,500.
A basket of Irish potatoes used to retail for between N5,000 and N5,500, but today it costs N6,000. A carton of Indomie noodles used to cost N7,500, but now it costs N7,700.Â
Reason for the hike in prices
A few dealers ascribed the price increases to rising expenses at depots and other suppliers. Some others mentioned the difficulty in getting around and the limited availability of specific foods as major factors.
Significant price rises were seen during a visit to the Kasuwan Bacci market. A measure of white beans was previously selling for N2,500, but now it was selling for N2,600. The cost of additional bean kinds varied considerably further, from N2,800 to N3,000 per measure.
The amount of N500 for three onion bulbs that onion vendor Sani Jabo was charging has alarmed several consumers.
A large bowl of Irish potatoes was also being sold for N4,000, and a young yam tuber was selling for N4,000 as well. A tiny basket of red peppers currently sells for N1,300, indicating that the price of pepper has also increased.
Citizens voiced their displeasure at the escalating costs of food and other necessities. They reported that due to the depreciating value of the Naira and continuous hardships, prices have increased by around 50%, placing them in a precarious financial condition.
