Abuja- Newspaper vendors and petty traders such as tea sellers, small restaurant and kiosk operators are making brisk business in various parts of Abuja, in spite of the restriction on movement during the Saturday’s polls.
The small businesses within the Garki and Wuse metropolis in the FCT have been busy making huge sales as customers formed queues to buy food.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited the areas, reported that voters who were already tired of waiting, decided to either eat or sit and read papers.
In Area One, Abuja, close to the primary school, one of the tea sellers had a full shop with people struggling and shouting at the top of their voices to get served.
Mr Nelson Mbonu, one of the customers, said he needed to eat to be strong for the struggle.
“When I was passing and saw the crowd, I thought it was a polling unit until I came closer and I saw the tea seller making Indomie noodles and I decided to also buy.
“I am ready to be here for the whole day so I have to eat well before I continue the struggle to cast my vote,” he said.
Although the tea seller declined to speak to newsmen, he was visibly happy and was struggling to meet the demands.
Also, the newspaper vendor, Mr Douglas Jonah, said that he had recorded a very high sale.
The vendor said: “My only problem is that there is no movement and I don’t know how to go back and bring more papers if this one finishes.
“I know I will exhaust these ones, maybe I will walk and get more or I will just go home and rest,” he said.
In Area 2, by the shopping complex, the small restaurant owner was seen serving food to people who made their orders.
Although the source of the food was not visible, the young lady was seen busy moving packs of food.
The food vendor, Miss Funmi Abdulkareem, said she had made a lot of sales since morning.
“My food has almost finished; if I have more customers, maybe I will go and cook more rice and come and sell,” she said.
Also newspaper vendors were seen around the polling units selling their papers.
Although all entrances of the shopping centre were barricaded, shop owners were seen scaling the low barricades and making skeletal sales from partly opened shops.
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Wine and drinks shops and those selling consumables were seen making rounds in and out of the shops.
NAN reports that vendors of sachet water, also had a field day selling water to voters who were on the queue in the scourcing sun.
In Gwagwalada, FCT, business was booming as vendors, took advantage of the elections to market their wares.
A cross section of the traders said voters and INEC ad hoc staff would need to feed while carrying out their duties.
“I thank God. I am so happy. Within four hours I had fried 16 crates of eggs. I cannot express how happy I am with business today.
“Infact I wish everyday was election. This is a day I will never forget,” Martha Attah said.
Another trader, Mr Bulus Jatau, said he saw a business opportunity and took advantage of it.
“I asked my wife to make her famous delicious Jollof rice with beef or chicken and package it in disposable plates.
“I have been going to different polling stations since morning to sell. And so far, I am happy with the sales,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders hawking sachet water, various soft drinks, biscuits, cheese cake (Awara) and other snacks littered most of the polling stations in Gwagwalada. (NAN)