COVID-19: Hunger Bites Hard As Niger Residents Lament High Cost Of Foodstuff

Socio-economic crisis created by the global pandemic, Coronavirus is taking its worst toll on the lives of Nigerlites, causing further increase in prizes of goods and services in and around major markets in Niger state.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abubarkar Sani Bello last Monday announced 14 days extension of partial lock down but the people are of the views that other measures be adopted to check spread of coronavirus instead of exposing citizens to deaths by hunger.

While many argued that the lockdown has outlived its usefulness, causing more pains than good as palliative support from government to the less privileged Nigerlites do not reach them or that it is shared for the ‘indigenes and APC members alone’.

Meanwhile, the cost of food items in the markets within Minna metropolis and surrounding villages has gone up with some staple foods likes; Rice, Beans, Garri, Yam, vegetables and other perishables almost double the initial cost.

Our correspondent went round some of the market and reported that the cheapest in the category of local rice in the markets sells for nothing less than N500, while a measure of Garri is now N200 and above for a measure.

The commonest type bean in Niger state is now between N450 and above. Five pieces of smallest sized yam is N1, 000 and above while grains such as millet and guinea corn is N200 and above per measure, depending on the type and colour.

Meanwhile, Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello have been called upon to review the restriction of movements order and allow people go out and source for food themselves so that they don’t die of hunger ‘because they are playing politics with government palliatives’.

Mr. Ephraim Dada, a father of six said it has not been easy for him to carter for his children and wife since the lockdown started. “We have been living from hand to mouth, if only the government will allow us go out and look for what my family will eat”.

Asked if he did not benefit from the palliatives, the retired office assistant who said he can no longer remain idle while his family suffer hunger told our correspondent how the handlers shared rice to his neighbours but refused to give them.

Though he does menial jobs or work in sites to sustain his family, Dada said, “The government distributed rice; some two bags, some three bags and these are people who ride cars but they refused to give us. I cannot beg them, not only me but most of us non-indigenes”.

“It is not easy trekking for hours to look for money to fend for my family but I trek to markets on free days to do small work, I will use the little money I made to buy food for my family”, he said accusing the state government of discriminating against non APC members.

The cost of food stuff is daily going beyond the reach of common man like us, he said adding that, instead of the government to intervene they are the ones hoarding the palliatives. I don’t know what they expect the masses to do?

Dada further argued that, instead of favouring some people and suffering others, why can’t the state government adopt other means of checking spread of the virus, including enforcing social distancing and compulsory face masks so that poor masses will not all die of hunger.
Daily Independent