Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, Region Three about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Azimulliah Azeez, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is very high. I don’t know what is happening with the groceries because the cost is high. The government said they giving pension and salary increase. When we get it, the cost for grocery items will continue to go up. GPL and telephone bills come high every month. My house burnt down in 2023 which was caused by a fan, and my son borrowed a loan and accepted help from family to rebuild the home, which was successfully completed. My family and I are now left with debts to repay as these expenses consumed all our savings, and to add to that, the cost of living is high. My son, his wife and I live in the home. My son works to help repay the loan. The cost for all items has gone up in the market. For example, the cost for a 10 kg Karibee rice a couple months back was $2,200; now, I’m buying the rice for $2,600. Also, a couple months back, a pound of beef cost $800; now a pound of beef cost $1,000. The cost for chicken gone up as well. I think giving wages’ increase will never solve this problem because the vendors and shop owners will increase their cost more per items; the government need to revalue our dollar.”
