Stabroek News spoke to members of the public at Timehri Base Road, East Bank Demerara about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Lillowtie Hurdail
Lillowtie Hurdail said: “The cost of living is really high since the cost for the utility bill and grocery bill have increased. My family of three tries to manage with the rising cost of living. My husband is a pensioner and I receive my disability benefits every month from the government. Nobody works in the home. We are trying to pay our bills and buy grocery items because we are afraid the light, telephone and water would cut off. So, if my family and I have to eat one meal a day, we have to content with that and the next two meals, we will have to put the cost towards paying the utility bill. I’m also looking after my granddaughter. For example, the cost of a small bag Karibee rice was $1,700 a few months ago; now the same bag cost $2,040. A 5-litre bottle of oil that cost $2,000 and something; now cost $3,000. The government is already assisting my husband and I with money, so there isn’t much the government can help us with, other than what they are helping us with at the moment. We just have to content with what we have for now by coping with the rising cost of living.”