By Olawale Lamina
That the #EndBadGovernance protests took hold of every important business activity cannot be gain said, for as long as it lasted, so it was for the buyers and sellers at the all-important Karimo Market
Karimo is located along the Gwagwa-Karimo Route, off Jabi, Airport Road, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The market is unique for many reasons, including the fact that, a buyer is sure to get his or desired commodities items at incomparable prices elsewhere around the city. And women largely constitute the largest percentage of the buyers and sellers who throng the market two times in a week- Tuesday and Friday.
For once, activities at the Karimo Market became comatose, going by the seriousness of the national protests, especially in Abuja, where the protests had been mainly pronounced for its sheer significance as the seat of power, just as the leaders of the protest groups decided to use the Eagles Square ( which turned out controversial ) to make statement about their grievances concerning widespread hardship occasioned by food inflation beyond the reach of the common man.
So, a wide yawning gap was created when last week and days after the protests had taken on violent dimensions and paved the way for the full intervention of the security agents who now had the opportunity to assert their constitutional duty of maintaining law and order, especially the Nigeria Police Force, who harped on enforcement of the rule of engagement as may be necessary.
One of the indications of seeming return of normalcy, as observed by The Pinnacle Times was the strategic positioning of the security operatives, and police patrol operations in major parts of Abuja, including the routes linking the market. This had given many buyers and sellers the assurance of peaceful conduct of daily activities.
Sequel to threats of arrest of irate protesters and efforts to restore normalcy, activities gradually returned and, the last Tuesday ushered in the commencement of buying and selling again at the popular commodity market.
For Mama Ejima (mummy twins), nobody had expected the gathering that took place soon after the protests started subsiding. The Okrika (second hand) cloth seller said: “We least expected to see people in their tens like this and the numbers would keep increasing. I came in this morning not knowing if there would be market in the first place because of the protests and its consequences so far.”
She delved into experiences of what staying at home was like for her and her family members within few days of the protests, saying that she needed to come to the marker to ensure she was able to meet the financial needs of her daughter who currently studies Nursing at the University and others who needed to feed daily, even as she opened up on her anxiety about how the day may go, with many ifs on her mind.
“The goods here are over N600, 00 (above six hundred thousand Naira). I pray for market to come without any problems. I used to come for sales of cloths every Tuesday, but I have added Fridays, in order to meet up with my daughter’s tuition fee. She is in her fourth year and it is a very important period in her education.
“The children at home would have to eat too. Nobody prays for trouble but peace.” she stated.
And, a once anxious seller became electrified the moment she noticed gradual increase in the number of buyers who now appeared in their hundreds moving in all directions of the market space to price and purchase one item or the other.
At Mallam Haruna shade, where he spread his yams and grains of staple foods, like rice , millet, corn and other cereals for sale were few customers who expressed reservation at the cost of yam per tuber on the market day.
“I don’t think I want to buy yams now, I would rather go for sweet potatoes as as alternative. That is what we have been substituting for the yams,” stated a young woman, who failed to listen to persuasions of Mallam Haruna that she could get a tuber of smaller yams for N2,500.
The woman moved to the space after Haruna where five pieces of sweet potatoes went for N1000 and the desperate woman priced two of five pieces apart for N1,200, which eventually led to a good bargain.
At another division, where sellers of school bags, socks and food packs pitched their tents, Chuwkudi who held sway as a major dealer on these items insisted on his quoted price without reduction. He bragged that his goods were special products of first grade and cannot afford to sell at give away prices.
“I am giving you this food pack for N3,500, look at it very well. I used to sell this quality for nothing less than N5, 000,” Chuwkudi stated as the customer who had walked away some distance suddenly returned to purchase the item.
It was particularly a lucky day for the PoS operators within the market, who received high and uniform charges on customer withdrawals. For instance, Mr. Andrew, a civil servant shared his experience with them, claiming that he was charged above normal for his intended withdrawal, before going to the ATM machine close by, only for him to return upon experiencing poor network.
Andrew said that, “I wanted to withdrew N20, 000 from a PoS operators, she asked for N400.00, as against N200 which i used to pay elsewhere.
“Now, I am surprised to also find out that the next two operators were charging same amount for withdrawals. So, i had to collect what I needed to buy food items here.”
And, a once calm and orderly bi-weekly market soon became busy as usual with passage of time, just as flurry of activities resumed with vehicular moment and control now fast becoming an uneasy task in a crowded space.
Last week Tuesday in Karimo Market gave many buyers and sellers the hope of return of peace after the unease that characterized the major part of the city for fear that nationwide protests could degenerate into a more serious situation and widespread confusion beyond control.
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