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South-South Farmers and Traders Lament High Food Prices Despite Harvest Season

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South-South Farmers and Traders Lament High Food Prices Despite Harvest Season

Farmers and food sellers in Nigeria’s South-South region are raising alarms over the persistently high cost of food, even during what should be a peak harvest season. This situation, as reported by stakeholders across Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River states, starkly contrasts with previous years, where harvests typically led to noticeable drops in food prices.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Despite being in the midst of the harvest season, only a few food items have seen minor price reductions. Many stakeholders argue that the expected relief for consumers hasn’t materialized, largely due to escalating transportation costs that have offset any benefits from the harvest.

Impact of Transportation Costs on Food Prices

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, foodstuff seller Mrs. Benedicta Amadi expressed concern that the high cost of transportation has negated any potential price drops from the harvest. According to her, the profits from food sales are now being consumed by the increased expenses of transporting goods. She highlighted that in 2023, a sizable tuber of yam was sold for N800, but it now costs between N4,000 and N6,000.

Amadi also noted the sharp rise in prices for perishable items such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers. A basket of pepper that sold for between N1,500 and N3,000 in 2023 now commands nearly N16,000. The prices of tomatoes and onions have followed a similar trend, leaving consumers with little respite.

Farmers and Experts Weigh In

Cassava farmer Mr. Godwin Akandu also reported minimal decreases in the prices of ‘garri’ and vegetables, which he attributes to premature harvesting. This practice was adopted by many farmers to mitigate potential losses from flood disasters. Akandu, who also serves as the President of the Etche Farmers Cooperative Union, emphasized that both production and transportation costs remain heavily dependent on petrol, further exacerbating the situation. He revealed that a basin of garri, which sold for N7,000 in 2023, now sells for between N16,000 and N18,000.

Mr. Christopher Tamuno, Programme Manager at the Agricultural Development Program (ADP), mentioned that the state would soon benefit from the Federal Government’s agro-input distribution, which is part of an agricultural palliative intended to boost food production. The distribution, however, has been delayed due to nationwide protests.

Minimal Price Reductions in Akwa Ibom and Cross River

In Akwa Ibom, foodstuff seller Mrs. Happiness Oboh from Udua Nka Market, Eket, reported that price reductions during the current harvest season have been insignificant. For instance, while a bag of garri that sold for N120,000 in May is now priced at N105,000, the cost of a tuber of yam has skyrocketed from N10,000 in May to N16,000. Similarly, the price of beans has surged, with a bag that cost N55,000 earlier in the year now selling for between N80,000 and N250,000.

In Cross River, trader Mr. Mubarak Ibrahim, who operates near the popular Watt Market in Calabar, noted a slight decrease in the prices of staple foods like rice and beans. He reported that a 50kg bag of local rice, which sold for N88,000 in July, now sells for N85,000, while the price of a 100kg bag of white beans has dropped from N210,000 to between N190,000 and N195,000.

Government Initiatives and Future Outlook

Cross River’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, stated that the state government has procured 108 medium tractors for distribution to cooperative societies, with the aim of improving food production. The ongoing cultivation of 50,000 hectares of rice in Ogoja and 90 hectares of cassava across 10 communities is expected to quadruple food production by the 2025 harvest season.

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“ASSASSINATION SURVIVOR: Alex Otti Drops Chilling Details Of How He Narrowly Escaped Death!”.

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Abia State Governor Alex Otti has revealed how he narrowly survived an alleged assassination attempt in Abuja during his pursuit of the governorship in 2015[cite: 20].....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at a solemn assembly and covenant renewal service in Umuahia, Governor Otti detailed the harrowing experience, stating that approximately 12 armed men stormed a building in Maitama in July 2015 with the intent to kill him[cite: 20]. According to the governor, the assailants arrived expecting him to be inside, but he had departed the location shortly before their arrival[cite: 20].

Recalling the event, Otti expressed profound gratitude to God for his survival, noting that the attackers shot two individuals during the incident before searching the premises in vain for him[cite: 20]. “They jumped into the next compound and stripped the whole place. They thought I was there, but I had left,” he said[cite: 20].

The governor explained that the Solemn Assembly was convened to rededicate Abia State to God, aiming to ensure that the state’s affairs are guided by faith rather than fetish practices[cite: 20]. Earlier in the service, Coordinator of the assembly and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, remarked that the state had been

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“SHOCK CONFESSION: Soludo’s Govt Finally Admits ‘Peter Obi Did Well As Governor’ Amid Financial Feud!”

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The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, has stated that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has no intention of indicting former governor Peter Obi. Speaking during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Mefor clarified that there is no personal or political rift between the two leaders, explaining that their differing positions are simply a natural part of political interest.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Working with the Federal Government: Mefor noted that Governor Soludo’s cooperation with President Bola Tinubu aligns with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) tradition. He pointed out that Obi similarly maintained a working relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP administration during his tenure.

  • Acknowledging Past Performance: While dismissing claims that the state’s financial scrutiny is a witch hunt against Obi’s presidential ambitions or legacy, Mefor affirmed, “Peter Obi did well as governor.”

  • The Debt and Account Balance Dispute: The primary point of contention centers on financial liabilities. Mefor disputed Obi’s claim that his administration left no financial liabilities and challenged a specific claim regarding ₦2.13 billion left in an ecological fund account at First Bank’s UNIZIK branch. According to Mefor, checks by the state government revealed no such inflow or balance, challenging Obi to publish the bank statements if he believes otherwise.

  • Loan Liabilities: Mefor clarified that while borrowing is not inherently wrong—noting that Obi took about eight loans for noble causes like education, agriculture, and erosion control—the former administration did leave repayment burdens for successive governments. He referenced Debt Management Office (DM) records showing billions in domestic debt upon Obi’s departure.

  • Soludo’s Borrowing Stance: Mefor concluded that while Governor Soludo has not taken any loans since assuming office, this does not mean borrowing is entirely bad, provided the funds are tied to revenue-generating public projects.

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OK Movement Campaign Council Was Created Without My Approval – Peter Obi Backs Dickson.

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Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has advised support groups against overstepping their bounds and attempting to function as a political party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Support Groups vs. Party Roles: Speaking during an Arise News interview regarding the friction between NDC national leader Seriake Dickson and the OK Movement, Obi aligned fully with Dickson’s position. He emphasized that groups like the OK Movement, the Obedient group, and Kwankwasiyya exist to support the NDC, not replace it.

  • Disowning the Campaign Council: Obi explicitly condemned the presidential campaign council formed by the OK Movement, clarifying that it was established entirely without his knowledge or approval.

  • Call for Alignment: He noted that any major actions taken by support groups backing both himself and Rabiu Kwankwaso require their explicit approval, criticizing instances where managers act contrary to official directives.

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