EconomyNewsNigeriaBattling the Storm: How Ordinary Citizens of Anambra Are Coping with Economic Hardship

PilotnewsOctober 14, 2024
As the economic challenges in Nigeria deepen, the people of Anambra State, like many others across the country, are feeling the weight of skyrocketing prices, job losses, and a strained economy.
The ripple effect of inflation, increased fuel prices, and a depreciating naira is forcing ordinary citizens to make hard choices in their day-to-day lives. From small-scale traders in Onitsha to farmers in rural communities, the struggle to meet basic needs is reshaping daily existence and testing their resilience.
At the heart of these challenges are families who have had to redefine how they survive. Emeka Ekwoba, a 45-year-old teacher in Awka, explains, “I have reduced the number of meals my family takes in a day. We used to have three full meals, but now it’s two, and sometimes just one if things are tough.”
For many households, cutting down on food consumption, using firewood to reduce the cost of gas, and limiting unnecessary expenses have become the new normal.
Many traders in Anambra’s bustling markets have also devised innovative strategies to cope.
Mrs. Nkiru, a food vendor in Nnewi, now buys her ingredients in bulk directly from rural farmers to save on costs. “Everything is expensive, and my customers are not willing to pay higher prices. I have to be smart with sourcing materials to still make a profit,” she says. For some, bartering has reemerged as a means to trade goods and services when cash is hard to come by.
While some Anambra residents are adapting by cutting costs, others are engaging in multiple jobs to make ends meet. Mr. Chijioke Okafor, a commercial bus driver who operates along the Onitsha-Owerri route, shares his struggle. “I used to rely on my driving job alone, but it’s no longer enough. I now work as a security guard at night just to keep my family afloat.”
The rise of side hustles is particularly prevalent among young people. Chinaza, a graduate from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, juggles a day job in a pharmacy while managing an online thrift store in the evenings. “It’s tough, but you have to hustle harder. The government can’t provide jobs, so we create our own opportunities,” she says.
Amid these daily struggles, there are growing frustrations among the people towards the government, both at the state and federal levels. While some acknowledge the efforts of Governor Charles Soludo to improve infrastructure and security in Anambra, many feel the benefits have yet to trickle down to them in terms of economic relief.
For instance, traders in the famous Onitsha Main Market express dissatisfaction with government policies they believe are disconnected from the realities of the common man. “We hear about all the projects and initiatives, but how does that help when the price of garri and rice is still increasing?” asks Ozoji Chinedu, a trader in the market.
Farmers in rural areas have a different perspective. Some see the state’s recent agricultural support schemes as a potential game-changer. “If the government can truly support us with fertilizers and market access, we can produce more and earn better,” says miss Uzoma Ogechi, a farmer from Ihiala.
However, many still believe more needs to be done to address immediate concerns like inflation, unemployment, and access to healthcare. In conversations across Anambra, citizens express a deep desire for policies that directly address the soaring cost of living.
Despite the prevailing challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope. Some citizens believe that tough times will eventually give way to better days. “It’s hard now, but I believe if we hold on and the government implements the right policies, things will improve,” says Uche, a small business owner in Ekwulobia.
The people of Anambra are resilient, drawing from a deep cultural tradition of communal support, innovation, and hard work. But with the mounting pressures of a struggling economy, they look to their leaders for solutions that go beyond political promises. The question that remains is: will the government rise to meet these challenges, or will the people continue to bear the brunt of the storm alone? Only time will tell.
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