Wheel barrow pushers in major markets in Enugu metropolis are making brisk business
following an increase in amount paid for services to customers as Christmas approaches.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round the major markets in the metropolis on Friday,
found that many barrow pushers were happy as they were seen carrying goods for customers who paid for their
services.
Some of the barrow pushers told NAN that the price of their services depended on the weight of the goods and
distance where the goods were to be discharged.
Other barrow pushers, however, said that they had to increase charges because the owners of the barrow had
increased the cost of hiring the load carrying tool.
Mr Uchendu Ibe, a barrow pusher at Ogbete main market, said that he increased his charges because of the yuletide.
Ibe added that “the cost of almost everything has increased due to the Christmas season: barrow pushers also
increased cost of services so as to meet up with the economic reality.”
According to him, most of the barrow pushers make enough money to take care of their
daily needs, depending on the weight and number of times they carry and discharge goods to customers.
Another barrow pusher at Garki market, Anayo Ogbodo, said it was necessary to increase the price of
barrow services because owners of the tool had also increased their charges for hiring.
Ogbodo says he charges between N200 and N250 to carry a 50kg bag of rice from the market to the Garki
motor park as against the previous price of N150.
He said other bags bigger than rice such as grains could go for between N300 and N500.
Mr Okwy Arinze, a barrow owner at Ogbete main market said it was necessary to increase the hiring price of
barrows due to increase in their repairs.
However, some shoppers in the market said both the owners of the barrows and the pushers were taking advantage of the
yuletide to exploit them.
Mrs Joy Onu, who was seen shopping in the market, said that the number of barrow pushers was constituting nuisance
in Enugu major markets and urged government to check their activities.
She said “the number of barrow pushers is now in the increase: one hardly enters the market without being hit or
injured with their barrows, in fact, it is very important for government to begin to regulate their activities.”
Mr Chidi Umeh, another shopper in the market, said that the increase in the number of barrow pushers was as a
result of the season. (NAN)
