On Christmas Eve, some residents of Lagos State lamented what they called “economic hardship,” which, according to them, had negatively affected this year’s Christmas celebration.
Concerns expressed by the populace included rising grocery and transport expenses in addition to the state’s present cash shortage.
A few traders also complained about “poor sales,” which they attribute to the state of the economy in the region.
Mrs. Rulaiman, a widow, remarked, “Food is too expensive.”. “It has become challenging for me to provide for my children appropriately this Christmas due to the economic hardship that Nigerians are facing,” she added.
Even with the Federal Government offering a fifty percent reimbursement on transportation expenses, Clement Osakwe, another resident, expressed regret that he could not afford to take his family and himself to their hometown of Enugu to celebrate with their people.
“We heard that the Federal Government has offered a 50 percent discount on the cost of transportation for some transport companies, but the truth is that many cannot still afford the remaining 50 percent. I can’t afford it for myself and my family. Times are hard,” Osakwe said.
Another Ketu resident, Ademola, lamented how “banks have decided to add to our hardship this festive season.”
“What exactly is the problem with cash? Why is cash in short supply? Is there a new policy stating that cash should not be distributed? Why are we so cruel to ourselves in this country?” Ademola,queried.
He urged the government to “immediately arrest this menace of cash scarcity,” adding that it was an artificial scarcity “caused by enemies of the nation.”