National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Dayo Emmanuel
As temperature climbs to 41 degrees centigrade in Kano, northern Nigeria, ice block sellers in the North’s commercial nerve centre are in business.
The hot weather condition which is nationwide has persisted for about three weeks and traders in water and ice blocks have maximized the opportunity.
Also in Lagos, sachet water sellers have continued to be in business despite the early rains which have not been able to solve the hot weather issue. Thus many young people are going into the business to avoid idleness.
An iced block merchant who simply identified herself as Mama Ope at the popular Oshodi bus station said, business has been favourable.
“We pray for the rain and God has been allowing rain in Lagos but the heat is still much,” she said.
She added that, “Though the heat is much, we are making sales because we are helping people get iced blocks and cold pure water. Business is moving.”
On how much iced block is sold, he said, “It depends on the size. Some are N200, some are more.”
Another water seller in Kano said, the heat is unbearable but the business aspect of the heat is a consolation. “As you can see the temperature is nationwide but it is like Kano is the worst now. So we must make sure people get cold water, iced block is also in high demand. You can imagine the inconvenience if these commodities are nowhere to be found, life will be more unbearable so this business must boom,” said Ikechukwu.
Elsewhere in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the temperature is equally high and water vendors are making brisk business.
Ahmed Isiaka is a water vendor along Taiwo Road and according to him this year’s heat seems the worst since he arrived Ilorin few years ago. “I have been in Ilorin for about three years and it seems this year’s heat is the worst,” Isiaka said.
The water vendor also revealed that the business has been booming though everybody is praying for rain. “The temperature is too hot I must confess but we are making money anyway. That we are selling water doesn’t make the heat to run away from us. We are also offering on the road and getting home in the night it is also hot but our joy is the good business,” he laughed.
