FCT Residents Struggle as Rising Food and Fuel Prices Strain Household Budgets

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are struggling to afford basic necessities as rising food prices and transportation costs impact their daily lives. Following the recent fuel price increase, locals have voiced concerns over escalating living expenses.

In interviews with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) on Sunday, Abuja residents described the challenges of coping with growing costs. Mrs. Maryam Abu, a mother of three, explained that the soaring price of essentials, like a bag of rice, has doubled since last year, making it difficult to meet her family’s needs. "With my husband’s salary barely keeping pace with inflation, I often have to choose between meals and household essentials," she shared.

Similarly, government worker Mrs. Ekaite Obot noted that she has been unable to drive her car for over five months due to high fuel prices. "All our family expenses are now on me after my husband was laid off," she said, adding that balancing school fees, food, and other essentials on a limited income has been overwhelming.

For civil servant Mrs. Mary Umeh, group savings initiatives, known locally as adashi, have helped her manage household expenses. "We contribute monthly, and at the end of the year, we buy essentials for Christmas. This group savings is a lifeline for me," she noted.

Retail merchant Mr. Albert Nwakama, who sells second-hand clothing, also shared how the economic downturn has affected his business. "Customers are buying less, and many who once gave me advance payments now ask to borrow money," he said, illustrating the decline in consumer spending.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Idris, a resident who commutes daily, highlighted how increased transportation costs are affecting his household budget. "I used to spend around N400 daily for commuting. Now, it's between N900 and N1,000, making it hard to manage other expenses," he explained.

Vendor Mr. Sule Adams similarly reported that sales have slowed as customers purchase smaller quantities. "People used to buy in bulk, but now they buy less due to higher costs," he shared, describing the cascading effect on small businesses.

The residents urge the government to address these issues promptly, as rising costs continue to strain families across the FCT.