As Christmas draws near, the people of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, find themselves experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety. While the festive season traditionally brings joy and celebration, many residents are also filled with concern due to the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, from food to beverages, and other everyday items.
From the voices of the people, the harsh reality is that things are becoming increasingly difficult for people to afford even the basics, let alone enjoy the usual holiday indulgences. The soaring cost of living is making it harder for many to fully embrace the season’s joy. As a result, residents are voicing their frustrations and pleading for government intervention to help reduce the financial strain on families.
In the bustling Oil Mill Market, where the pulse of Port Harcourt’s commerce can be felt, both vendors and buyers are complain of the effects of rising prices.
One trader shared the tough realities of doing business in these challenging times, saying, “The cost of buying goods is so high now. We have no choice but to sell at higher prices, and as a result, buyers are buying less.”
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Onion sellers, in particular, have been feeling the pinch. One onion vendor lamented, “The price of onions has gone up, and supply is not enough. Sales are slow because many customers can’t afford what we’re selling.”
Shoppers are also deeply affected by the increase in prices, which is putting restrictions on their budgets. Kate, a regular customer at the market, expressed her frustration, explaining, “My salary hasn’t changed, but everything I buy has become so much more expensive. I find myself buying less now, just to get by and meet the basic needs of my family.”
Another shopper, Yinka, shared his worry about his ability to make the holiday special for his children. “This year, it’s hard to buy gifts for them. All I can do is focus on feeding my family and making sure we have enough to get through the season,” he said with concern.
However, the general sentiment is one of urgency for the government to take action. As one resident put it, “We need the government to help make this season more affordable for us. People are struggling, and we can’t enjoy the holidays the way we used to.”
Despite the mounting challenges, many residents of Port Harcourt are still finding reasons to be thankful to God. They are holding on to their faith and cherishing the opportunity to celebrate Christmas, even if it means scaling back their usual traditions
