Some parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said on Friday that they have cut noodles from their household menu as its price continues to increase.
In separate interviews with journalists, they said their
children’s favourite fast food was becoming unaffordable, hence the need for
them to look for an alternative.
Hauwa Bakari, a mother and a teacher, said she used to
prepare noodles for her children to take to school every Friday and to Islamic
school on Sundays.
“The last carton we bought before the increase was N6,000
for Indomie noodles, and by the time I went to get the same item after two
weeks, it had increased to N8,400,” she stated.
Ms Bakari, who said noodles have become a luxury for the
ordinary Nigerian, said the price for the medium-sized Indomie is reportedly
N18,000 while Minimie now goes for N16,000 per carton.
“I know it is one of my children’s favourite foods, but with
how things are going, I cannot afford it, so they have to eat whatever is
available at home,’’ she said.
Kemi Samuel, a mother of four, said she has decided to cut
off noodles from her list of groceries because it now looks like a waste of
resources and unnecessary.
Ms Samuel said she would buy and cook more spaghetti with
enough vegetables for the family instead of using so much money on noodles that
digest in no time.
She said the decision was timely since her children depended
too much on noodles as they were easy to make.
Rose Yakubu, a student, however, said the high cost of
noodles would not deter her from eating it.
Ms Yakubu said she liked the food, not because it was easy
and fast to prepare, but because it saved her from buying other food
ingredients to cook a proper meal.
“ If I have to cook rice, for instance, I will have to buy
oil, meat or fish, seasonings, and vegetables, which I may not have enough
money for,’’ she said.
A shop owner, Shefiyu Abubakar, said that only a few people
can afford noodles from his shop anymore.
He attributed this to the increase in the commodity’s price
and the fact that many would prefer to buy other foodstuffs.
Mr Abubakar said the Hungryman Indomie pack is between
N18,000 and N19,000 per carton, while the smallest size sells for N10,500.
“These prices were far lower in January and suddenly
increased because of the inflation in the country,” Mr Abubakar added.