GOD ABEG! See 4 Things That Could Ruin Christmas For You If You’re Living In Nigeria
The Yuletide season is upon us, and it is a time when families come to celebrate together in love and unity. A few days before Christmas, the same old story of the ‘Nigerian Problems’ persists, and this could have high ramifications for how people celebrate Christmas this year.
Below are four things that could affect your Christmas celebration in Nigeria:
Fuel Scarcity
Despite the removal of subsidies and the current price pegged at N568, fuel scarcity is said to have surfaced in some parts of Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
In recent years, this has been a usual occurrence, especially during the yuletide season. Many have alluded that the removal of fuel subsidies would make scarcity a thing of the past but we still have citizens buy 5 litres of PMS for N5000 at the black market rate.
The scarcity of fuel hinders your free movement, increases the cost of transportation and also the opportunity to provide a secondary source of electricity in your homes during the festive period.
National Grid Collapse
The collapse of National Grid makes headlines lately as compared to previous years. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the Egbin power generating station has been shut down to allow the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) repair a pipeline supplying gas to the facility.
The TCN, in a notice signed by its management, said the station was shut down on Monday.
The facility will be shut down for three days, the TCN said.
“This is to notify the public that as at 11:13 hours of 18th December 2023, Egbin Power generating station was shut down to allow the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to maintain linking gas pipeline supplying gas to Egbin Power Station,” the notice reads.
“The station will be shut down for 3 days from today.”
According to TCN, the shutdown will result in a reduction of 676 megawatts (MW) of bulk power generated into the nation’s grid for three days.
Consequently, TCN said the quantum of bulk power available to be delivered to distribution companies load centres nationwide for the period, would be affected.
The Egbin power plant, located in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos, is said to contribute over 16 percent of the total electricity generated to the national grid.
One can pray the repair is done and power is restored in affected areas in time ahead of the long weekend of celebrations
Naira Scarcity
Nigerians have taken to various social media platforms to decry the rising level of the scarcity of the naira.
The naira scarcity comes approximately 12 months after Nigerians went through similar ordeal in 2022. Which makes it the second year in quick succession Nigerians would celebrate Christmas with shortage of cash
Recall that following the Naira redesign policy implemented by the CBN between December 2022 and February 2023, a cash shortage ensued until the Supreme Court extended the deadline to December 31, 2023.
However, this extension was later revoked at the request of the federal government.
As the Christmas and New Year festivities approach, Nigerians are once more encountering a shortage of Naira notes.According to reports, many Automated Teller Machines of Deposit Money Banks in many parts of the country are either not dispensing cash or are witnessing long queues.
This situation has led to a nationwide outcry from Nigerians condemning the situation, while also seeking for an urgent intervention by the federal government.
Food Inflation
Christmas jollof has only got more expensive, and if your neighbour serves you one, relish the moment.
Per a Businessday report, The price of a 50kg bag of foreign parboiled rice rose by 65.6 percent to N65,000 from N39,250 in December 2022.
The average price of a 10kg carton of frozen chicken increased by 36.1 percent to N32,000 from N23,500 in December last year, while a kilo goes for N3,400 as against N2,400 in the same period last year. A big basket of fresh tomatoes sells for N41,000 as against N16,000 last year, while a small basket sells for N18,000.