Life in Abuja is becoming an increasingly expensive puzzle for many residents, as the cost of basic necessities like cooked meals and transportation continues to defy the recent drop in raw material prices. While the rush of the festive season has faded and market prices for several food staples have actually started to come down, the average person on the street says they are yet to feel that relief in their daily spending.
A survey across major markets in the Federal Capital Territory reveals a frustrating trend: while the cost of raw ingredients has dipped, restaurant owners and food vendors are holding firmly to their high prices. Many residents who spoke with Reports expressed deep worry over this development. One resident, Uju Philip, noted that even small local “bukas” are keeping their prices at peak levels, making it nearly impossible for the average worker to eat out. She shared that she has mostly stopped buying meals from vendors because the cost of a single plate could now prepare a decent meal at home.
The struggle is particularly visible among civil servants. Wale Johnson, a government worker, pointed out that the cheapest meal available near his office now goes for around N4,500. For someone earning a monthly salary of N165,000, those daily expenses become unsustainable when combined with house rent, school fees, and the ever-rising cost of getting to work. There is a growing sense that business owners are simply taking advantage of the general economic climate to keep profit margins high, regardless of the burden on the common citizen.
Transportation is another major pain point for Abuja residents. Despite a noticeable reduction in fuel prices recently, taxi and bus fares remain stubbornly high. Business owners like Marie Nwafor, who operates out of Wuse Market, are calling on transport unions to intervene and talk to their members. The situation is further complicated by the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, which were expected to offer a cheaper alternative to petrol-powered transport.
Instead of the promised relief, many commuters have found that CNG drivers are charging the same high rates as their petrol-using counterparts. Some residents even alleged that certain drivers have gone as far as removing their official CNG stickers just to justify charging passengers higher petrol-equivalent fares. This perceived lack of regulation has left many feeling vulnerable to exploitation.
As the cries for intervention grow louder, many are urging price control authorities and the government to step in. The consensus among the people is that if the cost of fuel and food items has dropped, the service providers should reflect that change in their pricing. Without some form of monitoring, the residents of the nation’s capital fear that the high cost of living will continue to squeeze the life out of their hard-earned income.
