By: Obuo Chris. EpistleNews Lagos Correspondent.
Following the daily inflation in prices of essential commodities and utility bills of social amenities, a community door-to-door interview with residents of Lagos state in Ajeromi local government Area revealed severe suffering of the common citizens who lamented the severe hardship beyond human bearable strength and readiness of mind.
According to Mrs. Ademola,
“We the common people are suffering hell in this country, the government instead of making life better for us rather worsens living conditions.
We nearly can afford a meal not to talk of a balanced diet.
“It was during Jonathan’s Administration that we boasted of square meals a day; under President Buhari, we struggle to get 2 meals daily but now, many people are not sure of a meal daily. The hardship on the citizens is becoming unbearable,” she said.
In the street of Alhaji Rasaq where many young boys and men are jobless with aged women who are doing nothing a group of them said in this government, hunger and hardship are killing people.
Mr. Ajayi, a Contract Security on off duty stated that those who are still managing to go to work are just peasant workers as the monthly salary cannot afford food for their families within two weeks of the month, coupled with high Electricity bills, and other domestic charges, he is left with no savings rather his major challenge was transport fare to return to work after off duty, “I have several times trekked to work but the rains aren’t helping matters.”
Endurance, a young man of about 20, said the government is quite insensitive to the plight of the citizens as they are the major source of frustration imposing a bad economic system that brings untold hardship.
“We are now living in a country where commoners are not sure of their tomorrow hence no security nor sure means of living, we have become beggars in our own country and no means of livelihood and no jobs even after completion of schooling.
“The hyperinflation on the cost of essential commodities and basic social services daily is dragging more Lagosians into poverty, and increasing the number of school children.
“Staple food items such as rice, garri, vegetables, palm oil, plantain, maize, beans, yams, meat, fish, beverages among others, we can no longer afford.”
Mr. Olaniyan of Tolu Road, further confirmed the positions of other interviewees, even those who barely can afford a little are malnourished because of insufficient intake of required nutrients.
Isa Yahaya of Ojora Street lamented the continual increase of cooking gas and kerosene as 1kg now goes for #900 to #1000 on the Streets of Ajegunle.
A 65 years old Mrs. Nkiruka expressed her fear for Nigeria and cautioned that government must be wary of the situation and look for solutions very fast, or else, we’re in for doom days. She pointed out that despite hunger, we have the issues of poor health services, no good drinking water, bastardised educational sector, and security challenges as well, ‘What are the government plans for the people, she opined.’