The impact of the Coronavirus appears to have brought out the beast in human kind as Lagos traders in food items have almost doubled prices, even as income flow is drying up. But the traders are putting up a defense that is as reasonable.
Blueprint survey shows that, everything that will add value to human life has gone up in terms of price in Lagos. The most vital, which is garri has doubled in price. Before the COVID-19 walked in, the paint rubber of garri sold between N400 and N600, depending on which part of Lagos.
But what many sees as essential commodity has risen to N1,000 as at last weekend. Consumers who spoke with Blueprint said, the most annoying thing is that, prices are going up in the face of dwindling income, with little hope of any flowing in.
For lovers of elusive soup, the main item, egusi has risen from N250 to between N350 and N400 per half derica. The milk cup rose from N150 to N250 per cup.
But the traders who spoke with Blueprint laid the blame at the door step of the police men, who are quite active in duty. According to them, if any vehicle carry them to the farm market, the police extort huge amount of money from the driver, which is usually transferred to them, thus increasing the overhead cost.
“So oga, who should bear the cost of the additional expenses”,?One Grace Ameachi asked Blueprint.
Eso Ola, told Blueprint that, in the absence of transportation vehicle, they trek long distance to getting these food items. She wonders why her labour should be in vain.
Lack of transportation has also led to the hike in the prices of tomatoes and pepper. In some areas the measurement has shrieked even as the price has shot up.
