The Residents of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State has lamented the high cost of food items, especially garri as price recently hit N3, 800 per custard bucket in May.
According to report, custard bucket of yellow garri is selling between N3, 700 and N3, 800 while the white one sales between N3, 400 and N 3, 500.
Mr John Ikeduru, a trader described the situation as bad condition in the country.
Ikeduru said that the current high cost of garri had never happened in the history of garri as well as other food stuffs.
“”Half basin of garri is sold between N23, 000 and N28, 500 depending on the brand as N9, 000 and N11, 000 in previous months.
“Again, a custard rubber measured of iron beans also goes between N6, 000 and N7, 000 as against N2, 000 and N2, 500.
“Also, five tubers of yam cost between N9, 000 and N20, 000 depending on the sizes,” Ikeduru said.
Mrs Nnenna Nwali, a Parent with family of five, described the development as unfortunate and worrisome to buy a painter of garri for N3, 800.
Nwali also expressed disappointment that common food items like rice, beans, garri, yam, pasta, flour, vegetable oil was no longer afforded because of high cost.
“If I get only garri for such amount, what happens to other food stuffs. I cannot boost for complete square meals for my children,” Nwali lament.
Ifeanyi Odo, frowned at the situation and said it was difficult to bear.
Odo said that a bag of garri sales between N78, 000 and N125, 000 depending on the brand.
He urged government at all levels to make policy on price control to checkmate the situation.
He further called on authorities to identify the cause hike in prices of commodities and tackle immediately to reduce hardship on citizens.
A Farmer, Mr Kenneth Aligwe, attributed the continuous hike in price of commodities to attacks on farmers by biko haram in their farm lands and unending communial crisis in some states.
Aligwe maintained that in achieving food security, governments should be sensitive to insecurity in the country, assure famers of adequate protection and introduce price control on all commodities which would go a long way.
“For instance, Ezza-Effium community in Ohaukwu local government area, known for food production, especially garri, had experienced shortage and hike in price of agricultural produce, since crisis erupted in the area.
“I advocate for establishment of military camp in the area to end the war,” Aligwe advised
Another farmer, Mr Chukwuma Usulor, said tension is heightened on farmers over insecurity in the land.
“Since crisis started in the area, storage of food has doubled, causing high cost in price of food items in markets.
“The refugees from the said community cannot go back to their original home to cultivate because of the conflict.
“There is need to tackle insecurity and crisis in communities, so that people can go back to their villages and continue with their farming business,” Usulor said.