Students Lament Soaring Cost Of Living In Abraka, Skip Meals As Survival Strategy

By Regina Egbamiye

Student of Delta State University, Abraka, have expressed deep concern over the rising cost of living in the University town, describing the situation as alarming and capable of denying many average students access to education if left unchecked.

While fielding answers to questions from our reporter over the weekend, the students observed that the prices of basic necessities like food and accommodation have increased geometrically.

They specifically lamented that the cost of accommodations has skyrocketed, with a single room renting for as high as N150,000, just as rising transportation fares and utility bills have worsened their living conditions and placed heavy financial pressure on students and families.

One of the respondents, Angel Oghenekparobo, a 400 level student of Business Administration in the institution, said the cost of rent for a single room has doubled within a year.

Oghenekparobo said: “Last year, I paid N120,000 for my apartment, but my landlord is now asking for N200,000.

“As a student where do I get such money from?

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“I don’t know how I am going to tell my parents about it because they have not even paid my school fees for the current session”.

On her part, the Vice President of the National Association of Okpe Students (NAOS), Amite Oghenesuvwe, noted that the situation has affected students’ concentration and academic performance, adding that many students now engage in part-time jobs to make ends meet.

“I skip meals and lectures sometimes to be able to manage my monthly allowance”, Oghenesuvwe disclosed.

Another 500-level student of Medical Laboratory Science, Eferhine Obakperoro, also highlighted the high price of food items in markets around campus, maintaining that basic meals that once cost N500 some months ago are now sold for over N1,500.

“I cut down on my food supplies to be able to cope with the hardship; it is tiring but I have no choice.”

The students expressed fears that if the trend persists, a lot of average students might find it difficult to access higher education.

They appealed to the Delta State government, landlords and relevant stakeholders to consider the plight of students by regulating house rents and improving on-campus accommodations.