Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Central Mahaicony, 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
Frances Abel
Frances Abel, a farmer, said: “A lot of things should change because cost of living is high right now. For example, vegetables that we, the people, produce in Guyana, the cost has increased in the markets. Even an item like rice that we produce in Guyana, the cost is high. The salary that we work for can’t help to buy food items from the market since the cost for food items has increased in the markets, not even to pay the utility bill. I have a vegetable garden I usually take care of but what happen to public servants who doesn’t have a kitchen garden and they have to buy everything? For example, a pound of celery before cost about $300; now a pound of celery cost $1,500. Also, a pound of tomatoes cost $60 wholesale before; now a pound of tomatoes cost $500 wholesale. That’s only the wholesale price, what about the retail price? I don’t know how people can manage to shop at the market with the small salary we are working for. The cost for meat has increase in the market now. A pound of beef before cost $500; now a pound of beef cost $700. The government should not only invest in infrastructure but on its people more. I think the government should focus more in increasing people’s salary more; like the teachers, police, nurses, pensioners and others. I admit that the government had reduced the cost on some of the utility bill like the water bill but there are still more changes that need to be done by the government to help with the cost of living.”
