Inflation inches higher, hits 18.72

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation again rose by 18.72 per cent (year-on-year) in January from 18.55 percent recorded in December 2016. The CPI is 0.17 percent points higher from the points recorded in December. The latest report just released by the NBS in Abuja showed that increases recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the Headline Index. “Communication, Restaurants and Hotels again recorded the slowest pace of growth in January, growing at 5.1 per cent and 8.4 per cent (year-on-year) respectively. “However, the faster pace of growth in headline inflation, year -on- year, were bread and cereals, meat, fish, oils and fats, potatoes, yams and other tubers as well as and wine and spirits. Also, clothing materials and accessories, electricity, cooking gas, liquid and solid fuels, motor cars and maintenance, vehicle spare parts and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road.’’ On a month on month basis, the report noted that headline inflation was driven by passenger transport by air, fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment and liquid fuels. The report also stated that the headline inflation was driven by cooking gas, oils and fats, fruits, Mike cheese and eggs, fish, meat and bread as well as cereals. “The Food Index increased by 17.82 percent (year-on-year) in January, up by 0.43 percent points from rate recorded in December 2016 (17.39) per cent. “During the month, all major food sub-indexes increased, with Soft Drinks recording the slowest pace of increase at 7.8 per cent(year on year). “Price movements recorded by All items less farm produce or Core sub-index rose by 17.90 per cent (year-on-year) in January, down by 0.20 per cent points from rates recorded in December 2016 (18.10) per cent. “During the month, the highest increases were seen in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, Education and Transport growing at 27.2, 21.0 and 17.2 per cent respectively.’’ On a month-on-month basis, the report further stated that the Headline index increased albeit, at a slower pace in January 2017. It stated that the index increased by 1.01 per cent points in January, 0.05 percent points from 1.06 percent rate recorded in December 2016. “It should be noted that the Headline Index is made up of the Core Index and Farm Produce items. As Processed Foods are included in both the Core and Food sub-indices; this implies that these sub-indices are not mutually-exclusive.’’ The report also stated that Urban index rose by 20.31 percent (year-on-year) in January from 20.12 percent recorded in December, and the Rural index increased by 17.34 percent in January from 17.20 percent in December. “On month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.03 percent in January from 1.08 percent recorded in December, while the rural index rose by 1.00 percent in January from 1.04 percent in December,’’ it stated.