There is a popular saying in my area that goes like this - we live in a time when the cost of living wants to kill the living.
There was a time when people made a joke saying that they will not allow anybody commit suicide due to the expensive nature of goods and services. They said that they will stop the person from committing suicide because they will escape the hardship of the country.
Looking at how far my country, Nigeria has come, I expect things to be very much better compared to the time of Good luck Jonathan. When former President Jonathan was on seat, we complained of how bad things were and we hoped that things will be better but then, instead of being better, it became worst with every new president.
I don't know if the removal of fuel subsidy made things better or if it made things worse, but then, it has its own advantages, though the disadvantages are more observed and felt compared to the advantages.
The minimum wage of my country is not even enough to pay for the transport fare of an average worker, talk more of buying food and other basic amenities. It's no wonder country men and women have no thoughts of staying in the country and raising a family. Everyone, both young and old are looking for ways to escape the hardships of the country.
I always say this - I love my country, it's blessed with bountiful resources and it has good people but then, mismanagement and political rascality is the driving force that is pushing this country into a dark abyss.
Sometimes when you think of the future, it seems like you're stagnated and trapped because there is no obvious way out. The government is not doing enough for its people, and when the people try to do something for themselves, village people will attack from different directions. Tch...... Such a drag.
Like I said earlier, in my area, the cost of living actually wants to kill the living. Common sachet water that used to be sold at a rate of N5 each, now it is currently sold at N50 each. That is about x10 of its original price.
The price of goods and services skyrocketed like the price of $trump. Transportation became hot cake. Currently, each drop is not less than N200, making it very expensive to move from one place to another.
With the way price of goods and services grew, it is expected that the minimum wage will also grow to a good extent, but no, it did not. Minimum wage is barely enough to transport an average worker from his home to his work place.
I did my calculations for the last 15 days and I found out that the price of transportation alone ate more than half of my salary. I've not added feeding and other expenses. It's really bad ya'know. Funny enough , I'm a medical practitioner. Now I know why medical practitioners are actively looking for a way to travel out of the country.
On a daily basis, I spend quite a lot on transportation. I work in Aba Abia state, and I base in umuahia, Abia state cause' of a program I'm running there.
So, my transportation from umuahia to Aba is N3900 to and fro. I do work for three days, sometimes four, before I go back to umuahia. When I get to work, I'll take break fast, lunch and dinner which is about 4500. 1500 for each plate. Sometimes, to save funds, I eat twice a day which is 3k. Sometimes, I'll want to eat a snack or grab a drink which is about a thousand naira. If I multiply that 4500 x 4 days, you'll find out that I'm spending about 18000 (the price will reduce it I eat twice a day and not take any drink or snack. It will also increase if I take a drink or eat a snack) in four days for feeding. Just to eat outside.
When I think of it, I don't actually see any hope of things getting better, welp, unless I want to buy cooking utensils which is also very expensive here.
If the price of transportation can go back to what it used to be (1k to and fro), it will save me a whole lot of stress because I could be going to Aba and back every day I'm on duty instead of staying there to spend my money on food.
I don't know if things are this expensive because I'm staying in the east. I've heard a lot of stories of how cheap things are in the north. Even when I was living in the north, things were also very cheap when compared to the east.
All I hope for at the moment is a better country where everything is affordable.
Thank you for reading.
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