Agriculture
Epe: Reasons For Soaring Food Prices In Mojoda Market Identified
Mojoda Epe market women are fielding blames from shoppers for the rise in food prices.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Mojoda Epe Market was rife with frustration yesterday as shoppers grappled with the escalating prices of essential goods.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- NiMet Forecasts Weekly Thunderstorms: Check Affected Areas
- FG Initiates Verification of Private Jet Imports, Summons 80 Operators To Abuja
- Fubara Directs HLGAs To Lead 23 Council Areas After Tenure Expiration
Amidst the bustling crowd, a woman voiced a common grievance: “The government are not the wicked ones but the market women!”
The woman’s outburst reflected a growing discontent among market-goers.
She criticized market women for hiking the price of garri, a staple food made from cassava that is locally produced.
“Market women complain about the increase in ordinary garri, which they produce themselves from their farm products, yet they blame the dollar and fuel prices,” she exclaimed.
“What does fuel price or dollar have to do with products which they plant in their own farms? Why should they be as costly as the imported ones?”
Her frustration was palpable as she recounted her experience. She had come to the market with ₦20,000, intending to purchase enough food to last her household for some time.
However, after buying garri, she found she had no money left to buy anything else.
“₦20,000 that was enough to buy foodstuff then cannot even buy garri for the house,” she said bitterly.
This scenario is all too familiar for many shoppers at Mojoda Epe Market.
They struggle to understand why locally produced goods have become so expensive, despite being cultivated within the country.
While market women attribute the price hikes to increased transportation costs due to higher fuel prices and the fluctuating dollar rate, consumers remain unconvinced.
One market woman, defending the price increase, explained, “We have to cover our costs.
“Transportation is more expensive because of the fuel prices, and everything else is going up too.”
Despite these justifications, the financial burden on consumers continues to grow.
Economists point out that while external factors like fuel prices and exchange rates do influence inflation, other local factors could also be at play.
Inefficiencies in the supply chain, speculative pricing, and middlemen’s markups are contributing to the steep price increases seen at markets.
The rising cost of living has prompted many to call for government intervention. There are demands for regulatory measures to ensure that basic necessities remain affordable for ordinary citizens.
“The government needs to step in and investigate why prices are soaring,” said a shopper. “We can’t keep living like this.”
The government, aware of the growing discontent, has promised to look into the matter.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture stated that, “We are committed to ensuring food security and affordability.
“We will be examining the supply chain to identify and address any issues causing unnecessary price hikes.”
As the debate continues, the scene at Mojoda Epe Market serves as a poignant reminder of the economic challenges facing many Nigerians.
The cries of frustration from both market women and shoppers underscore the urgent need for solutions that can restore stability and affordability to the market.
FURTHER READING
- Akpabio Addresses 2027 Presidential Ambitions With El-Rufai Amid Posters
- June 12: Sail Away From The Turbulent Waters Of Protests – DSS Warns Nigerians
- Court Gives Date to Rule on LP’s Candidacy Tussle
Until effective measures are implemented, the struggle for affordable food prices is likely to persist, leaving many to navigate the harsh realities of the current economic landscape.
Click below to watch our video of the week:
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
