Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in the area of Saywah, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmanga
Sayah David said: “The cost of grocery item increases in the market every week because when my parents visited the market a week ago, the cost had increased for items and the next week, the cost for the same items would have increased even higher in the market. The cost of some vegetables, however, has increased in the market while the cost for some has reduced in the market. Right now, the cost for grocery items has increased in the market. My family of four just have to budget to make ends meet. My parents don’t buy vegetables because when my father plants vegetables with other people in the area, they usually give him some of the produce to take home. They just buy other grocery items. For instance, a small pack of curly Champion macaroni a few months ago cost $240; now the same pack of macaroni cost $280 and that cost has remained like that since December. Also, a beverage such as a 1 litre Coca Cola that cost $460 a couple months back; now the same 1 litre drink cost $500, the cost has been that way since December. The government should consider reducing the cost for food items so it can be much more affordable to people.”