News

Food Prices Soar Amidst Rising Transport Fares

Published

4 years ago

October 27, 2021

The prices of food rose Year-on-Year (YoY) amidst rising transport fare in September, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.
Analysis of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) selected food price watch data for September 2021 showed that the prices of rice, egg, garri, and tomatoes rose during the period.
Similarly, the NBS transport fare watch data revealed that the prices of transport fare paid for bus, air, water and motorcycle journeys rose sharply YoY in September, 2021.
Analysis of food prices data showed that the average price of 1 dozen of agric eggs medium size increased YoY by 25.84 to N604.99 in September, 2021 from N480.76 in September, 2020.
Also, the average price of 1kg of rice local, sold loose increased YoY by 4.95 per cent to N410.01 from N390.68.
The average price of 1kg of rice imported high quality, sold loose rose YoY in September, 2021 by 5.94 per cent to N546.77 from N516.13 in September, 2020.
The average price of 1kg of tomato increased YoY in September, 2021 by 19.28 per cent to N342.25 from N286.92 in September, 2020.
The average price of 1kg of Garri white, sold loose increased YoY by 27.91 per cent to N301.58 in September, 2021 from N235.77 in September, 2020.
While the average price of 1kg of Garri yellow, sold loose increased YoY by 27.91 per cent to N322.44 in September, 2021 from N263.57 in September, 2020.
Data on transport fare showed that average fare paid by commuters for bus journey within the city rose by 40.56 per cent YoY to N435.36 in September, 2021 from N309.73 in September, 2021.
Also, average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity rose by 20 per cent YoY to N2,620.90 in September, 2021 from N2182.45 in September, 2020.
Average fare paid by commuters for journey by motorcycle per drop increased by 39.56 per cent YoY to N306.61 in September, 2021 from N219.70 in September, 2020.
Average fare paid by commuters for journey by waterway rose by 15.64 per cent YoY to N849.06 in September, 2021 from N734.26 in September, 2020.
Average air fare charged for specified single route journeys increased by 0.10 per cent to N36,922.37 in September, 2021 from N36,805.41 in September, 2020.
In their inflation outlook for September, 2021, analysts at United Capital Management Plc, projected further pressure on food prices in 2022 citing less planting activities resulting in limited food production.
“Looking ahead, while price pressures still abound in the economy, our prognosis remains that disinflation will persist in the immediate term.
“First, for food inflation, we expect some reduced pressure on locally produced food items in the near-term as the supply chain continues to be debottlenecked while the harvest season gets into full swing for the rest of year.
“Nevertheless, we expect harvest quantities to be limited (due to reduced farming activities during the recent planting season), implying there could be worse food price pressures to come during the 2022 planting season.”

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.