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Bread winners whine about skyrocketing cost of living

– Lament difficult times

Survival in Nigeria is getting tougher by the day. An average Nigerian now lives from hand to mouth. The culture of saving is gradually dying because there is hardly something to save from the monthly or daily income of workers, traders, artisans, etc , all is spent on survival now.

ENCOMIUM Weekly sampled the opinion of breadwinners on the state of the economy and how they are coping.

 

Emmanuel Ebhodagh IMG-20141128-WA001EMMANUEL EBHODAGHE

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

Terrible! It’s not easy, I must confess. The fact that I am self employed makes it more tasking. As the breadwinner of the family, I am facing more challenges that, I must overcome.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

Sure, they are. Many essentials in this country increase with no good reason.

Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent and food stuff?

Yes! Mostly house rent, it increases every two years. Food stuff prices increase with unexplainable excuses.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

Monthly; at least, a family of four needs N50,000 when we say feeding for survival.

 

tunde okunolaTUNDE OKUNOLA

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

As a breadwinner, it has not been easy, but God has been providing.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

Yes, even though people have reduced the manner in which they patronize some of the products.

Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent and food stuff?

Geometrically, there has been increase in the cost of transportation, house rent and food stuff. Though people now apply common sense in getting some of these things.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

It varies, and depends on individual and his standard, is it per day, week, month or annually? As for me. I would need an average of N200,000 per month to survive.

 

Yinka pwealthYINKA OKUNOLA

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

The economy of the nation has never for once been a friend to the masses since democracy rule. It only favours the rich and partially the average Nigerians, but never works for those at the lower class who are the largest part of the country’s population. Every normal Nigerian has to take two to three sources of income in order to meet up with family needs and that tends to have effect on people’s health because me and you hardly take a deep rest. Not to even talk of now, that there is a fall in oil price (crude oil) which we don’t know what is in stock for the masses come 2015.

Because, I believe that the government will definitely make moves that will favour them by allowing those in government to loot more of the country’s resources not considering the masses. This government at the federal level is the worst of all we have had.

We are struggling to survive and not yet surviving not to talk of living.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

Yes!! Even a child of primary school knows that things are more expensive compared to years past. What he/she used to buy for N2 is no longer sold for N2 but for N5 or N10 and so it applies to everything. There is no price control in Nigeria, so everyone determines how much he or she sells his/her goods especially when there is increase in fuel price. Nigerians are yet to have a government.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

What a man earns does not determine his survival at all. If your salary increases to N1 million from N500,000 monthly and your house rent is increased to N1 million per year from N700,000, is that progress? How much to earn in order to survive is never the solution, rather how can resources be well managed to help the masses. Mind you, every increase in salary in Nigeria brings increase in the price of what they consume.

 

JoksyJOKE OLAIFA

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

On the state of the economy, I think an average Nigerian is not finding it easy to make ends meet. This is probably because there are a lot of dependants on the meager income earned coupled with rising cost of commodities as well as payment of utilities including electricity tariff, gas, petrol, water bill, environmental and security levies, etc.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

I will say prices of goods generally have been relatively stable in the past three to five years but I will not be surprised if the inflation level increases anytime soon owing to the proposed naira devaluation by the FG. However, the partial fuel subsidy removal led to the proportionate price increase of some commodities in 2012.

Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent and food stuff?

There has been relative increase in the prices of the items listed but the general price level could be assessed to be relatively stable.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

On the amount required by a family for survival, it is obvious that there is a wide gap between the poor and the rich. Depending on which stratum or segment a family belongs, it determines how much will be needed. But conservatively, an average family that earns about N100,000 monthly will live a comfortable life.

 

owner of Avant Garde 20130630_180326-1KOLADE OBOZUWA

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

I must say it is not easy but God has been faithful. The economy is depreciating but I have to do all I can to make me and my family comfortable.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

Yes, there is a slight increase in some things, while some other things are overbearing.

Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent and food stuff?

The amount of money we spend on food alone is worth doing tangible things with not to talk about transportation and school fees. All these miscellaneous expenses put in one increases poor standard of living in the country.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

A standard family needs nothing less than N200,000 monthly to take care of all family needs.

 

IdrisIDRIS MAMUKUYOMI

How are you coping with the economy as a breadwinner?

Coping as a breadwinner has not been easy and the economy is not helping matters. Even if you have all your credentials or qualification, if you do not have anybody in a good position that can really vouch for your appointment you are good as unemployed. Our so called leaders have not put in place the mechanism to stabilize unemployment in the country. Rather, they think of themselves, families and their next generation.

Will you say things are more expensive compared to previous years?

Yes, things have really gone up compared to previous years, especially transportation, food and basic amenities.

Has there been any increase in transportation, house rent and food stuff?

Working on a salary of N50,000 and you have a budget of N30,000 on basic amenities every month, then you realize one day that transportation has gone up all because of increase in fuel, due to increase in import duties.

How much does a man and his family need to survive?

A family needs not less than N300,000 to N400,000 per annum to survive.

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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