Some residents of Port
Harcourt, Rivers State have been lamenting over the recent increase in prices of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and bread.
A cross section of the residents who bared their minds in an interview with The Tide correspondent in Port Harcourt said the sudden increase had now possed a great concern to their families and others.
They noted that with the number of children in the house, the situation had made them to do away with bread on their breakfast table, while some who could not afford the original kerosene have now resorted to using the adulterated one popularly known as ‘kpo’ fire kerosene.
The residents who expressed dismay over the development lamented that if it is not checked, could lead to starvation and malnutrition in the state.
They wondered why it should be in Rivers State alone, while other states are enjoying the products even at a lower and affordable prices by the common people in the society.
According to them, a loaf of bread which was sold at N50.00 before, is now N70.00, while a family size that cost N350.00 now sold at N500.00 at most common stores.
The residents, mostly women also lamented that a bottle of ‘kpo’ kerosene in a big eva water container which used to be N100.00 now sells at N150.00 while the 20 litre jery can that was N2,500.00 is now N2,700.00 and above.
They also noted that the pure kerosene is now sold at N170 per bottle while the 20 litre jerry is between N5,500 and N5,800, calling on the authorities to take proactive action in ameliorating the suffering of the masses.
Mama Bukky Taiwo said the hike in price of these commodities had been posing a great challenge in the family as she already cut cost of living.
Another house wife, Mrs Veronica Amadi said bread which is a common food is now for the rich, while she has resorted to using electric stove because of the increase in price of kerosene.
In her reaction, Mrs Ada-Awaji Solomon said she no longer make gain in her periwinkle business as she uses at least two bottles of kerosene to cook the periwinkle, adding that it is seriously affecting her business.
In her reaction, Saki Tom-Manuel said the price increase in bread and kerosene at this period of the time is not the best and appealed to the relevant authorities to do something.