VANGUARD
Scarcity of the naira notes, astronomic increases in transport fares and food items, among others, have made it extremely difficult for many Nigerians to travel for Christmas.
It is another Christmas, a season of celebrations and merriment, a period when people take extended vacations to unwind and take a deserved rest.
It is also a time people travel to be with their loved ones. For some Nigerians, it is more than celebrations. It is a period of homecoming.
Many Nigerians are used to travelling home every end of the year for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Yuletide provides people with the opportunity to unite with their families and loved ones.
However, the scarcity of the naira notes, astronomic increases in transport fares and food items, among others, have made it extremely difficult for many people to travel during this period.
The high cost of living and other economic issues have combined to worsen the current situation.
Many people are hungry and cannot afford the basic things of life like food, clothing, etc. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor out of over 200 million citizens.
Gloomy situation ahead of Christmas
Removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira are at the core of the biting economic hardship.
Lack of job opportunities and high inflation has also taken a toll on household’s welfare and price increases have pushed more Nigerians into poverty.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, during his inauguration on May 29, removed payment of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, thereby hiking the price from N185 to N620 per litre.
A trip to ever-busy motor parks and markets in major cities like Lagos and Abuja tells the actual mood of the people.
Low patronage
Traders at various markets are lamenting low patronage. At the main Kuje Market, Abuja, two traders, who spoke to our correspondent, blamed the removal of fuel subsidy as the major cause for low patronage and high cost of food items.
