Exclusive: Experts, Communication Strategists, Others Recommend Fix Price of Commodities as Solution to Economic Hardship

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In the face of current hardship in Nigeria, especially the fluctuating price of commodities and Premium Motor Spirit, the Federal Government has been told to fix the price of commodities as a measure to combat current hardship in Nigeria.

Our reporter in his recent vox pop interviews with different experts and communication strategists, observed that many of them recommended that the best solution is to fix the price of commodities.

It was noted that many of them thought that if the price of commodities were fixed, things would not be as difficult as it was now.

It would be recalled that last week, the federal government gave a mandatory order that all stores should have a fixed price for their commodities, but, unfortunately, the federal government failed to fix the price of fuel as the price jumped to 850 naira per liter as of yesterday 4th of September.

Speaking with people for their perspectives

“The federal government should regulate prices of commodities, says Ogun journalists”

Journalists and communication strategist Yusuf Adeleke, when asked what could be the solution to the current hardship in Nigeria?

He said, ” Well, there are so many things to discuss this, we all understand the situation of the nation and what the economy is saying”.

My candid advice to the Federal government and State governors is to find a lasting solution to the economic hardship of the nation.

Can you please elaborate more on the solutions that can warrant good governance?

“Ordinarily, if it were to be for the federal government I would say the federal government should fix prices of Commodities and fuel, such that when you buy something at a particular price and sell it at the rate given to you by the FG.

“There was a time like that when Fg was trying to regulate the prices of commodities at any stores in Nigeria, this practice actually took place for a short period in Abuja for three weeks and later it got suspended”.

Why speaking on the roles of journalists in the current situation of the country, he submitted that Journalists as professionals have a lot of things to do in terms of advocating for peace and unity of the nation.

Adeleke added that journalists must tell the truth when it matters, emphasizing their roles as the fourth estate of the realm.

He noted that where the judiciary, executive, and legislature failed to talk journalists are highly expected to raise their voices through their medium.

“As a journalist say something factual and accurate information, and do in-depth research in investigating”

Similarly, Mr. Saheed Adeola a media consultant, in his own opinion submitted that inclusive government is important for any nation to grow economically.

He advocated for town hall meetings from the grassroots whereby the cry of the people will be heard, there will be a meeting, representing stakeholders from the grassroots, not politicians or self-appointed leaders.

He called on the governors to prioritize a good road network to farming areas, adding that if there is a good road from the village into the city, it would solve the hiking in food commodities.

“The fuel pump price is also a great point, some petroleum filling stations have inflated their prices which is not under the directive of any regulatory authority, if there is a regulatory body sanctioning any station doing such that would also help”.

“As a matter of urgency federal government should bring down the dollar rate and the fuel price that would greatly help”.

Nigerians Lament Over PMS Hike Again.

Some traders and commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have frowned at the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the NNPC Ltd.

According to “The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the NNPC Ltd. Retail Management approved the upward review of PMS pump price from N617 per liter to N897 per liter effective from Sept, 3.

The commuters and traders, who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Tuesday, said the development would increase food prices which were gradually crashing, and also the sufferings of the masses.

One Mr. Ignatius Ugwu, a civil servant, said the fuel pump price increase would further reduce the purchasing power of workers.

He said the increase would hike transportation fares which would make it difficult for workers to resume work promptly and be productive.

Ugwu appealed to the Federal Government to pay workers minimum wage and introduce other palliatives that would help cushion the effect of the increase on the masses.

”This information is very scary for a country like ours where people are struggling to eat even one good meal a day.

”This increase will make transport fares and other prices of goods and services go up.

”The government should have been magnanimous enough to put some things in place before this increase.

”They should have paid minimum wage and other arrears, they should have brought out buses to help the masses because whether we like it or not, prices of things will go up, ” he said.

Mrs Antonia Ogbede, a housewife, said the increase would automatically hike food prices which were gradually coming down.

Ogbede said that traders would take advantage of the fuel increase to also increase the prices of their goods.

She said the spending burden would increase on her spouse who was the sole breadwinner of the family.

”I went to the market today and I saw some traders discussing the fuel increase.

”I heard one of them making a call for some goods to be delivered to him by the company he buys from and they told him that the price will increase by the end of the week.

”The trader ordered 100 cartons and he said he would sell them at increased price.

”The government should please help us before our breadwinners develop sicknesses as a result of too much spending,” she said.

Mrs Evelyn Otapu appealed to the Federal Government to consider its citizens first before some policy formulation.

However, Mr Andy Kolapo, a driver, said that the increase would make the fuel queues disappear.

”We heard that they (NNPCL) have been planning to increase the price of fuel to N1,000 per liter and this they have achieved.

”We hope that this will bring to an end the recurring queues in fuel stations,” he said.

NAN reports that independent marketers were selling between N1,000 and N1,200 per liter.

Commuters stranded in Abuja over fares hike as NNPCL sells fuel at N855 per liter

Meanwhile, many commuters in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, were on Tuesday stranded at various bus stops due to the sudden increase in transport fares.

 

 

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One thought on “Exclusive: Experts, Communication Strategists, Others Recommend Fix Price of Commodities as Solution to Economic Hardship

  1. I totally agree with this !!
    Having a fixed and definite price for commodities would go a long way to fix our current economic mess .

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