[b]HIGH COST OF LIVING IN MY COUNTRY[/b]
Undoubtedly, there is every need to improve the standard of living of citizens of this country. The cost of living is too high in Nigeria and many Nigerians are groaning under the heavy yoke of high cost of living. The bad economy which has engineered exorbitant cost of living has affected Nigerians, particularly the poor. There is high cost of feeding, accommodation, transportation, education and so on to the extent that every facet of life is affected. This pitiable condition is made worse by the crippling effects of unemployment in the country. This has multiplying effects on the standard of living of Nigerians which makes it imperative for the government to rise to the occasion and tackle the problem.
The first way of tackling the problem of high cost of living is government having interest in promoting agriculture in the Country. The first priority need of people is survival by feeding well. The cost of food items is too high and this is as a result of low production of food in the country. The farm has been abandoned to the old people by the youths who are not interested in farming. Therefore, the government should make farming attractive to the youths, thereby increasing food production which will bring about a drastic reduction in the prices of food items. This can be achieved if the government establishes farm settlements across the count,' and provides modern farming equipment like tractors plough and harvesters which will allow for high production of food in the country. When foodstuffs are cheap and affordable, Nigerians will be able to feed themselves and remain healthy.
Another way of improving the standard of living of Nigerians and reducing the high cost of living is empowering the youths to become self-reliant, productive and entrepreneurial. This will prevent them from becoming job seekers but job creators If the government establishes skill acquisition centres where the youths can acquire skills that can make them go into the production of essential goods and manufacturing of items like shoes, bags, machines and so on, the high cost of these items will come down and become affordable to Nigerians. By encouraging manufacturing, government can create wealth in the country and reduce the high cost of living.
The high cost of living in the country is an indication of the poor economy. In order to improve the economy of the country, the government has to do the needful by diversifying the economy. The government should invest in agriculture and manufacturing so that the country will become a great exporting one and not a dependant on imported goods. This will definitely improve the foreign earnings of the country and it will have positive effects on the standard of living of Nigerians.
Moreover, the locally-made goods either in the agro-called sector or manufacturing sector should be protected by government by banning imported goods. This will encourage local production and manufacturing and Nigerians should be sensitised towards patronising foods and goods made in Nigeria If our locally-produced food and goods are patronised by Nigerians, it will bring about a large production and their prices will be cheap and affordable. This will thereby reduce the high cost of living in the country.
lgwe Progress.