By: Raji Toheeb Ayinde
To my understanding, for the meaningful change that millions of Nigerians have been clamoring for, it must start at the grassroots level. People often channel their condemnation and blame towards those in power, claiming they are the cause of our current predicament, without realizing that many of these issues originate from their own actions.
It is very sad and pathetic to observe a substantial price disparity for the same product within the same geographical location. Traders now have the autonomy to sell their goods at any price they wish.
Despite how rich the country is, in terms of agricultural products and mineral resources, Nigerians still suffer to afford a three square meal and this is as a result of our own wickedness.
Imagine, in June, I bought two sachets of water for #50 in one location in Ogun. However, after a twenty-minute walk in the same area, I was shocked to find that the same product cost #50 per sachet. I’m still trying to understand what might have caused this drastic price difference.
Similarly, a week ago, a man complained bitter behind me, saying that three fishes were said to be sold to him for #4000 in a shop, but fortunately he later moved to another neighboring shop where he bought the same fish for #2500.
I wonder why residents of Ogun State will buy Garri paint at a price higher than how much it’s sold in Lagos state. Food is not too expensive in Lagos State unlike Ogun State.
On Tuesday, 23rd of July, the punch newspaper reported the case of seven men who specialized in selling fake fertilizers to farmers in Gombe state.
The gap in prices of commodities is not limited to the aforementioned items only, as there are several goods that have shown a series of disparity in price despite being in the same vicinity.
To cap it all, the change can only begin from us because our rulers are not in any way affected with this price crisis, but if we fail to exemplify the real change by ourselves, no angel will come down to rectify the situation and the condition might continue to perpetuate.