Part 106
Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Meadow Bank, Georgetown about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
James Simon, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is affecting me a lot because when I go to the shop these days to buy something, the cost for the items gone up. A next thing, I’m a pensioner, I mean everybody has to live but the money, the government giving pensioners every month versus the amount of money government is receiving from the revenue of oil, I think more money can be given to pensioners. The cost of living is not easy for me. I provide for myself with the monthly pension I receive. When I go to the market to buy things like porridge stuff I need, and other items, then pay my utility bills and internet bill, I’m left with nothing. For example, a couple months back, a packet of Quaker oats cost $700; now a packet of oats cost $800. Before, a pound of salt fish (Snapper) cost $700; now the salt fish cost $1,200. The cost of living is going up every day, I think the government should consider increasing pensioners’ monthly stipend.”
Belinda Caesar
Belinda Caesar, a 40-year-old housewife said: “The cost of living is really tough for my family of six including my husband and four children because the cost for everything has gone up in the market/shop. My husband is the sole breadwinner for us and, whatever money I receive from him, I try to budget to pay the utility bills, buy grocery items and pay the rent. The cost for things is really high throughout Guyana. For example, a couple months back, a 1-litre bottle oil cost $460; now the oil cost $800. Also, a couple months back, a pound of chicken cost $480; now the chicken cost $600. I can’t say what could be done about the high cost of living because when I go to the market, the cost for items going up.”
Bibi Khan
Bibi Khan, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is expensive for me because the cost is high on milk powder and other food items. The cost is high on rent, transportation and so on. Even the cost for both the water and electricity bills has risen. When I go to the supermarkets to buy a couple of essential items, the bill comes up to about $60,000 or $70,000. The cost for fruits gone high. Even though my son takes care of me, I still have to buy items and cook for myself. For example, a couple months back, a pound of plantains cost $200; now the plantains cost $300. Before, a pound of beef cost $300; now a pound of beef cost more than $400 and something. The government should consider reducing the cost of living more because farmers work hard and have to pay transportation cost for their produce. Government needs to increase people’s salary or provide some kind of help to people.”
Dacia Murray
Dacia Murray, a 33-year-old factory worker said: “The cost of living is affecting me a lot because I’m working but still the salary is not enough to provide for my family of seven, which includes my husband and kids. My husband works as well but still the cost of living is really hard on us sometimes; we have to pay the rent and utility bills then buy grocery items. We try to cope with it. For example, a couple months back, 10kg Karibee rice cost $2,500; now the rice cost $2,800. Also, a few months ago, a small Natura milk cost $500; now the milk cost $560. Even the cost for Fernleaf milk gone up. I think the government should assist the people with food items because the cost for food items is costly but the cost for clothes is cheaper.”
Triola Clark
Triola Clark, a 45-year-old vendor said: “The cost of living is affecting me a lot because the cost for everything is so expensive. As a single parent, it is really rough on me right now because I have kids going to school and it is really hard to support and send them to school. My kids still have to eat when they return home and have to get items for their assignments. I have nine children living with me and two at their father; only six children go to school. Then, my grandson goes to school as well. My three girls’ clean fish on the wharf to help out financially in the home. I sell bread, eggs and sausages to support my family, financially. I have the utility bills to pay and grocery items to buy. For example, a couple months back, a 10-kg Karibee rice cost $1,700/$1,800; now the rice cost $2,000 and something. And, before, a medium size oil cost $1,800; now the oil cost $2,200. Now, if you are not qualified, you can’t work. When I do take any job, employers are underpaying you. I think something should be done about this, so more encouragement can be given to people with low end jobs, so they can encourage to work and provide for their family.”
Calisa Clarke
Calisa Clarke, a 20-year-old unemployed single mother said: “The cost of living is really hard because it is hard to get a job. If you don’t have qualifications, you can’t get a job at certain places. This is kind of fatiguing and stressful. I’m a mother of one and live with my mother and siblings. Well, my child’s father supports his child but still without a job, it’s kind of hard and fatiguing for me; I still try my best to cope with the cost of living with the help from my mother. For example, a couple months back 10-kg Karibee rice cost $1,500; now the rice cost $2,000. Also, before, 1-litre bottle oil cost $200 and something; now the oil cost $800. The government should look into the cost of living because there are a lot of people that are trying a lot to cope with the cost of living. Sometimes, we don’t know the situation people are in, I saw it for my own eyes. Sometimes people come and ask us for stuff and once we have, we give; we help them.”
Sheba Kissoon
Sheba Kissoon, a 65-year-old resident said: “The cost of living is not difficult for me because my son works and support me. To add to that, I work from home. My daughters sometimes help me financially. It’s just my son and I live together and I cook for my son and other family members when they visit me. The cost of living is high though. When you have a few dollars in your hands, you still have to spend it. I manage to pay my utility bills and other expenses. For example, before a pack of sugar cost $400; now the same sugar cost $480. A couple months back, a 10-kg Karibee rice cost $1,300 and something; now the rice cost $2,200. We just have to cope with the high cost of living.”
Joseph Armstrong
Joseph Armstrong, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is high, if I want to buy something, I can’t study the money, I have to buy it. I gave my sister my monthly pension to buy food items. She would say how the cost of living has increased. I’m not working anywhere. For example, before a case of 500ml bottle water cost $1,500; now the case of water cost $2,000. I know we will soon get $100,000 each from the government which is good but I think the government should try to reduce the cost of living first before sharing the cash grant to individuals.”
Jason Boodie
Jason Boodie, a 40-year-old vendor said: “The cost of living is affecting me a lot. The government said that our country is the fastest growing economy but still, the cost for items is expensive. For example, before, a pound of apple banana cost $100/$120; now the same banana cost $260/$300. Like, the importation tax cheaper than the exportation tax. A couple months back, a 10-kg Karibee rice cost $1,800; now the rice cost $2,500. The cost for a big pack of Natura milk gone up also. I’m a family of six including my four children and wife. Three of my children work along with my wife and I, to cover all expenses whilst buying food items. My wife and I do our daily hustle by selling juices and puri. The government need to manage our natural resources better.”
