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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birinin Kebbi
• Mallam Umar
Not minding the risks on the highway from Kebbi to Gumi in Zamfara State, charcoal dealers from Kebbi State will put their trust in God and go in search of the black energy that is used for cooking by many families in the state.
“The journey usually lasts for three enduring days. These dealers sleep at Gumi on the day of arrival. Then they proceed to search for charcoal the following day and back to the road again the next day with hundreds of sacks of charcoals,” said Ahmadu Audu, a veteran in the business.
• Faisal speaking infront of his stand
Speaking to Daily Sun at Sabo Kasua (Central Market), Birnin Kebbi, charcoal dealer, Umar A. Umar, said: “The prices of cooking gas, kerosene had all gone beyond the reach of the common people. That is why the business of charcoal is booming at the moment. We can go to anywhere to get charcoal because that is the only choice that is available for the ordinary people to cook food for their families.
“For instance, it cost us about N600,000 to buy a load of truck which contain 100 bags from Gumi town. We usually go to Gumi to purchase charcoal once we cannot get the product here in Kebbi or Koko.
“On a good day, a load of truck is about N300,000 consisting of 100 bags. But if we go to Koko in Koko- Besse Local Government, a load of truck contains 100 sacks usually cost us N350,000.”
Umar said they sell a bag of charcoal sourced from Gumi for N4,000 while those from Birnin Kebbi and Koko are sold for N3,500, N3,000 respectively: “Due to extortions from the security agencies and cost of transportation, a bag of charcoals that usually cost N1,200, N1,500 before now goes for N3,500 or N4,000 per a bag (sack).
“I sell between N15,000 and N20,000 per day. With additional selling of local pots, popularly known as charcoal burners (Kolopots), I make more income. I am happy earning my daily meals from this labour.
“Our prayer is that government should not ban the selling of charcoal. If they ban it, people like us would have no job to do again. Even thousands of housewives and women patronising us would have to suffer hardship if they cannot get charcoal to power their cooking.
“We are begging the state government to assist us, empower us so that we can employ more youths that are working under us.”
While collaborating his views, a 20-year old charcoal dealer, Umar Faisal disclosed that he had purchased a plot of land from the business of charcoal.
Counting his gains, he said that he was already planning to get married from the income he makes from the business adding that on a good day, he could make between between N30,000 or N20,000 depending on the season.
“My customers comprised of rich and the poor-who use charcoal as alternative source of cooking energy. I’m really happy here because I can feed myself ,cater for my needs without relying on anybody.”
