Nearly two years after the transition of power from former Governor David Umahi, now Minister of Works, to the current Governor Francis Nwifuru, the economic reality in Ebonyi State remains bleak.
Once considered one of the more rural and agriculturally rich states in Nigeria’s South-East, Ebonyi has continued to rank among the poorest in the country. What compounds this paradox is that, despite its poverty levels, Ebonyi is now being cited as one of the states with the highest cost of living, especially in its capital, Abakaliki.
While reports and surveys have consistently pointed to the dire economic conditions in the state, including widespread unemployment and social deprivation, the situation has significantly worsened in recent months. The cost of basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation has soared, putting immense pressure on a population that largely depends on subsistence farming and civil service jobs.
Many residents have expressed frustration that, despite being an agrarian state, Ebonyi is facing unprecedented food inflation. According to studies and anecdotal evidence, a significant percentage of Ebonyi’s population survives on low and inconsistent incomes.
What some critics have referred to as “a state where the only viable industry is politics” has become a hotspot of inequality, where the few who are well-connected thrive, while the majority struggle with basic needs.
The current economic climate has reportedly pitched residents against one another as they scramble to secure daily sustenance in an increasingly harsh environment.
One of those bearing the brunt of the economic downturn is a 35-year-old civil servant, Mrs. Liliana Agwu. Speaking with our correspondent in Abakaliki, Agwu painted a grim picture of daily life in Ebonyi.
“The standard of living in Ebonyi, especially Abakaliki, is far higher than in most states around. Rents have gone through the roof. Every morning, landlords seem to wake up and just decide to add more to rent,” she lamented.
She noted that the price disparity between Abakaliki and other regional capitals like Awka and Enugu is troubling.