Worried by the astronomical rise in prices of foodstuffs which has inflicted excruciating pains on consumers, the government of Akwa Ibom State has directed leaders of market unions in the State to crash food prices within the reach of the common people.
A survey across major markets including Akpan Andem, Itam, Etuk Street and other major markets in the state capital, Uyo, revealed that prices of staple foods including garri, rice, beans, yams, cooking oil and others have gone up by over 100 per cent.
For instance, a cup of garri was sold at N100 last week, but checks by Nigerian Tribune revealed that it had dropped to two cups for N100, following outcry by the people for government intervention.
Findings by government agents, according to the Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Trades Matters, Mr Idorenyin Raphael, revealed that market unions in the State were responsible for the artificial scarcity of staple foods, thereby creating what he described as chaotic inflationary trend in the state.
Speaking in an interview in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the governor’s Aide noted that the market unions were cashing in on the poor economic situation of the country to exploit the masses by creating artificial market forces, warning that they risked serious sanctions if they failed to reverse the situation to normal.
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