Anambra’s Silent Outcry: Hardship Deepens As Calls Grow For Urgent Social Safety Net
In a state widely praised for its infrastructure drive and economic ambition, a quieter reality is unfolding, one marked by rising hardship, shrinking purchasing power, and growing anxiety among residents.
A citizen advocate, Prince Chris Azor, has raised concerns over what he describes as a “silent outcry” across Anambra State, warning that while development strides under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo are commendable, many families are struggling to keep up with the cost of living.
From Awka to Onitsha and Nnewi, Azor notes that the impact of economic pressures is becoming increasingly visible.
Traders are grappling with unpredictable price hikes, transport costs continue to surge, and basic food items are becoming unaffordable for many households.
For some families, three meals a day is no longer guaranteed, with others resorting to credit or informal support systems to survive.
He attributes the situation to a mix of global and domestic factors, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and external shocks such as the recent tensions between the United States and Iran, which have influenced global energy prices.
Locally, challenges such as insecurity affecting farming, multiple taxation on small businesses, and poor power supply are compounding the crisis.
According to Azor, the absence of a structured and fully operational social protection framework in Anambra has left many vulnerable citizens exposed.
He argues that while development projects are ongoing, there is little cushioning for residents during economic shocks.
Drawing comparisons, he pointed to interventions in states like Lagos State, Kaduna State, Oyo State, and Ekiti State, where governments have implemented targeted support programmes ranging from transport subsidies to cash transfers and community-based welfare systems.
He stressed that Anambra has the capacity to respond through practical measures such as supporting vulnerable households, stabilising food markets, easing transport costs, and providing relief for small businesses.
He also highlighted the importance of leveraging existing community structures, including town unions, faith-based organisations, and civil society groups, to ensure effective and transparent distribution of support.
Azor warned that without urgent intervention, the gains of development risk becoming fragile, as worsening hardship could erode livelihoods and dampen public confidence.
“The hardship is visible, in markets, in homes, and in the uncertainty among young people,” he said, urging the state government to act swiftly.
As Anambra continues its push for growth and innovation, the message from citizens is clear: development must go hand in hand with protection for those most at risk.
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