Prices Of Goods, Services Soar In Enugu

Prices of goods and services have jumped by 100 per cent in Enugu following the removal of subsidy on petrol.

A survey by our correspondent in Enugu showed that a bag of sachet water that earlier sold for N70 now goes for between N100 and N140 depending on the brand and area of purchase.

Mrs Deborah Kanu, a wholesale dealer on the product, said she got the bags at N100 each as against the previous N50 price.

According to her, the removal of subsidy on petrol is taking its toll on all goods because many industries operate with diesel or petrol which is now sold at between N140 and N160 per litre.

She lamented that a sachet of water was now N10 instead of N5 which she noted would be above the reach of the poor, especially school children.

At the Ogbete main market, apart from rice, beans and tinned tomatoes that retained their prices before the Christmas and New Year celebrations, perishable vegetables like fresh tomatoes, pepper, and onions and other food items like yam and crayfish have recorded increases in their prices.

Most of the traders attributed the development to increase in transport fares occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

Artisans like vulcanisers, barbers, hairdressers, shoe makers, tailors, mechanics and other technicians have equally increased their charges.

The survey showed that to pump a deflated tyre now attracts N50 as against N20 charged previously while to patch a tyre costs N400 as against N200.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the Fadama III programme has provided employment and economic empowerment for the women participants.

Mrs Amaka Uzoechina, the Enugu State Coordinator of the programme of the programme disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Enugu.

She said that 50 per cent of the 70 women who participated in the programme in 2011, engaged in dry season farming.

According to her, the women planted assorted fruits and a variety of vegetables, including pepper, tomatoes and, pumpkins.

To ensure bumper harvest, we provide the women with hand water pumps to enable them to water their farms effectively.

We also supply them with improved seedlings as well as organic and inorganic fertilisers for improve yields.

The coordinator, however, expressed concern that the removal of the fuel subsidy might impact negatively on the programme.