• Focus On Payment Of Children’s School Fees In 2024
• Beg Tinubu To Ameliorate Economic Hardship
• Lament As Bag Of Rice Costs N60, 000
Sixteen days to this year’s Christmas, many Nigerians have said they do not have plans to travel out of their locations to mark the season as a result of insecurity, high cost of transportation and the general economic hardship in the country.
They blamed the situation on the removal of fuel subsidy and weakening of the naira, which have drastically eroded their purchasing powers. Many of the citizens who spoke lamented that the usual activities leading to the festivity, like street and office decorations as well as increased shopping by individuals and households, are not visible due to the economic situation in the country. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate measures to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
The Guardian had yesterday reported that local airlines had again doubled airfares on high-traffic seasonal routes. According to the report, the airfare that surged to an average of N100,000 per one-hour Economy flight ticket in October, had hit N200,000 for flights on the East and Southern routes. Its round-trip variant, the report said, sold for between N350,000 and almost half a million, subject to seat availability. It also revealed that the fresh spike was not unconnected with the high cost of operation, limited capacity, high demand that is typical of this period and alleged exploitation.
The report disclosed that on Air Peace, for instance, the Lagos-Anambra flight travel date, in the week ahead of Christmas, last Thursday, sold at N171,500 for one-way. After Christmas, it sells for an average of N66,900. Lagos-Enugu flight ranges between N123,900 and N266,800, one-way.
Lagos-Enugu flight on United Nigeria Airline (UNA) is competitive, ranging between N125,500 and N220,500 per seat. Lagos-Anambra on UNA also sold at between N142,500 and N200,000. Abuja-Anambra in United Nigeria ranged between N142,500 and N220,500.
Meanwhile, flights on the traditional routes of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano remain in the range of N100,000, and N160,000. There is a similar trend in the road transport sector as findings by The Guardian showed that transport firms that ply the Eastern routes have jerked up their fares and are now charging between N25, 000 and N30, 000 per trip. It was gathered that the fares would still go up from December 15 when travellers begin to troop out, as was the case in previous years.
Meanwhile, there are indications that many Nigerians may not be able to afford celebrating this year’s festivity with rice as the price of the staple food has jumped beyond the reach of average citizen.
Last September, The Guardian had predicted imminent hike in the price of rice, a popular staple food in Nigeria, following the shut down of rice mills in major states producing the commodity in the country. Currently, a 50kg bag of rice, which sold for between N40, 000 and N45, 000 in September, now costs between N53, 000 and N60, 000, depending on the brand, across markets.
There are fears that the price may still increase, as more mills are closing down due to scarcity of paddy, the main raw material for rice production. There are reports that hundreds of millers, both integrated and small scale, were finding it extremely difficult to break even due to the tough economic condition of the country.
It was learnt that in Kano State, some of the rice mills had shut down while millers in Kebbi, Kaduna, Adamawa and other rice-producing states are toeing that path. It was also gathered that the shortage of paddy is behind the hike in the price of rice. Due to the shortage of paddy, there is more demand and less production, hence shortage of supply and consequently the hike in the price of the commodity.
Speaking with The Guardian in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Very Rev Ugochukwu Sylvester Madu of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Kubwa Branch, stated that as a Christian who understands the significance of the season, he was excitedly preparing for the Christmas celebrations. He, however, stated that he would not travel for the season as usual because of the high cost of transportation.
“I am preparing for Christmas because I understand the implications, and as a Christian, it is expected that we celebrate the advent of our Messiah. It is a symbolic celebration that impacts our faith spiritually and physically,” Madu said.
On whether or not he would travel to his home state or another location for the celebration, he said that embarking on a journey, especially across states now, required careful planning and budgeting.
“I did travel before but now, I don’t because the economic indicators are so bad. I have prepared to do my Christmas celebration here in Abuja. The cost of transportation now is so high that any trip one has to make should be carefully and properly budgeted and planned for,” he said. The cleric noted that many families would miss the traditional reunion, where issues relating to development are discussed.
“We are going to miss family and community reunions and meetings where we discuss community development and security issues. This year is really going to suffer a setback as many are crying out over the level of hardship.
“Also, a lot of people have died from hunger, lack of medical care and through self-medication in order to cut costs. People are roaming the streets begging for food. It is terrible.
“I am also afraid that criminality will be on the increase because people will want to meet up.
“Cost of living is so high now. Nigerians are afraid of what the market will look like next week. Nothing is coming down. How do we cope with our children if we cannot buy them little things for their celebration? I feel the economic situation of Nigeria needs urgent attention by the government,” he said.
Another resident of the FCT, Mrs. Kemi Akiode, stated that for her, the preparation for this year’s Christmas was slow-paced unlike the previous years. She said she was sure of food and new clothes for the celebration but had no plan to travel out of the city.
“My preparation for Christmas is slow-paced unlike other years, though there will be food and clothes to celebrate life. Nonetheless, I am not travelling this year. I intend to stay in Abuja with my family.
“The only fear I have for this year’s Christmas is the current inflation in the market, but in all, we keep praying to God for provision,” she said.
A civil servant in Lagos State, Precious Eze, said she had no special plans for this year’s Christmas, adding that she was looking forward to surviving the rest of the year.
“I don’t think there’s any special plans for me and my family, considering the economy. We have battled cash crunch, fuel hike and foreign exchange crisis over the months and all I have to say is that surviving the rest of the year is all we look forward to. Usually, we travel to celebrate the season, but we have not done so in two years, considering the insecurity challenges in the East, where I come from. I have only travelled once in two years for a burial ceremony and got back almost immediately.
“I hope that this season will be fair enough for us all, because even prices of food and the cost of transportation are on the rise. So, it will take proper planning to travel this season.”
Mr. Tony Ekeh, a businessman, said he would spend the season connecting with family and friends he hasn’t reached out to for some time. He ruled out travelling for the celebrations.
“I will rather reach out to people I consider family members this season and share the little I have and be merry. We have had a lot going on this year and I am only grateful to God for seeing us through.
“I will focus on the basics, which is ensuring that I have funds for payment of house rent and my children’s school fees. The season will go away in a flick and reality will begin to dawn. The economy is no longer giving room for frivolities. I used to hang out with friends almost every week but I have reduced the frequency due to the economic situation. So, I don’t have plans to travel nor do I have any specific plans this season,” Ekeh said.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, a civil servant, Kemi Agboola, said her preparations for the season were being guided by the economic reality of the moment.
“This year, I’ve made the decision not to travel, recognising the financial constraints that many are facing. Staying local allows me to be more budget-conscious while prioritising the essence of the season, spending quality time with those who matter most,” she said.
Also, Mr. Tunde Bakare said as he eagerly prepared for Christmas, the anticipated joy for the season was somewhat being shadowed by rising costs of commodities, including petrol.
Bakare added that his desire to connect with loved ones to enjoy the Christmas season motivated him to find a balance between prudent spending and meaningful experiences that make the season special.
In Kaduna State, many residents who spoke with The Guardian said they had decided to shelve travelling to their hometowns for this year’s yuletide, following the high cost of transportation, food items, clothing materials, beverages, drinks, and gift items, which made past Christmas celebrations memorable.
A motor parts dealer at the Pateka Market in Kaduna, Chuks Obinna, said preparation for this year’s Christmas was poor. “Since the removal of the fuel subsidy by the government, motor parts business has been so bad. My family members have been managing to feed, pay house rent, children’s school fees. We can’t talk of going to our hometown in Abia for the Christmas.
“Life has not been easy. I have told my wife and four children to manage their old dresses for Christmas. And the little money available we will use it to cook on Christmas day and celebrate it here in Kaduna. I have also informed my people at home that we will not come down to celebrate Christmas in the village this year,” Obinna said.
Kayode Yekini, a tailor at Jos Road and Kefas Luka, a teacher in one of the secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis, also lamented that hard times would not allow them to celebrate Christmas the way they would have loved to.
Yekini said that the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration had brought poverty upon Nigerians. “In my family, we cannot even talk of celebrating Christmas the way we did in past years with fanfare. Imagine, I cannot even afford to buy new clothes and shoes for my children and wife as a tailor. We have to manage second hand dresses this year. This is what the government has turned some of us into in celebrating this year’s Christmas.”
Luka, a native of Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf, stated: “In the past, all my family members used to go home to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. But as things stand today, we cannot afford to travel home for Christmas because of the high cost of transportation.” He urged the Federal Government to look into the hardship Nigerians are facing, and address the economic situation to make life meaningful for the people.
Speaking with The Guardian in Enugu, a father of three, Mr. Ikenna Eneh, stated that he did not feel as if Christmas is approaching. “There is nothing on ground to herald the celebrations. I am yet to hear any Christmas jingle being played anywhere. Before now, there would have been various decorations by residents and even business owners to herald the season. This is not happening. This is to show you that all is not well,” he said. On how he was preparing for the season, he stated that he was more concerned about the bills awaiting him by January next year.
“The rise in the price of petrol is seriously eating deep into my pockets. I stopped using my car in August this year. I cannot afford the price of fuel. My wife and I have three children. If I had been fuelling my car, probably my family would be starving today. So, I don’t have resources to plan for Christmas. I cannot even travel. But what is important is that we are alive and this may not be our last Christmas, God giving us life. Some day, we will have cause to join in the celebrations,” he stated.
A trader in Ogbete Main Market, Mrs. Joy Uwaga, shared a similar feeling: “I don’t think I will be part of the celebration this year. Things are just difficult for me. All we do now is find food and eat.
“I have school fees to pay. I have just been given over N100,000.00 bill to pay for the registration of my child’s WAEC and NECO. She is in SS3. This is aside from her school fee. So, I need to pay this money and look for other fees before thinking of Christmas,” she said.
Uwaga, who noted that “business has been so poor”, lamented: “It is just by the grace of God that we are still feeding. So, Christmas celebration, for me this year, is a bleak one. I am not pretending about it. Where do you want me to start?”
But from Mr. Peter Dalang, a resident of the FCT, it was news of preparations for the season being in top gear. Dalang, who said he had plans to travel to his state by road, expressed fear over insecurity.
“The preparation for Christmas is going well but not as seamless as in previous years. I am travelling home. I am traveling by road to Plateau State though scared because of insecurity. But I will travel anyway.
“Christmas is very interesting in my village – the dance, wrestling and meeting old friends. I won’t miss that for anything. I don’t have any fear for this year’s Christmas; it will come and we will relish it amid the raging storm,” he said.
Also in Ibadan, Mr. John Chibuzor, said that despite the challenges posed by bad roads, traffic and the issue of kidnapping, he would still travel to reunite with family and friends.
“Despite these challenges, the spirit of Christmas and the desire to be with my family motivate me to travel to my hometown for Christmas. It is disheartening to face the realities of bad roads and the uncertainties but the prospect of being together with loved ones during this festive season encourages me to forge ahead,” Chibuzor said.
THEGUARDIAN
