•FCT runs girls lament
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Abuja runs girls (commercial sex workers) have lamented of poor patronage due to the present economic situation. They stressed that the economic hardship has stopped most of their customers from having times outside their homes, which is seriously affecting their source of livelihoods.
They appealed to the Federal Government to revisit and enforce fundamental rights of commercial sex workers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, to enable them practice the profession without disturbance from security personnel.
They lamented that if nothing was done to address the situation, most of them would be forced to relocate to the village as they found it very difficult to pay their rents or feed.
“All the men are now carrying strong faces. We find it difficult to initiate businesses,” Ene one of the girls in Jabi behind upstairs said. Martha resides in Lugbe but does her business in front one of the estates in Gwarinpa said: “Life has not been easy due poor patronage.
“I am not a full time commercial sex worker. But a law should be passed so that we will be free from the distraction from the security men. Though the economy is not too good, but I still make things from this my night stands to add up to my other means.
*The major challenge on my side is this running from the security personnel. That last time I dislocated one of my legs because I didn’t notice them earlier. They came in a private car ,so we thought they were customers.
“Went to display what we got. Before we recovered from the shock, they caught one of us. When I tried to run I fell from my hills and dislocated my leg . I think we are in a free world.
“We have the choice to choose our profession. I’m pleading to the Federal Government to pass our bill into law so that we can practice with ease and freedom.”
Joyce operates around Wuse 2: “Before now, towards evening, I would have made over N50,000 with three rounds of meeting with clients before going for the last match which is usually all night. But now, it is very difficult to get a customer.
“The few men that come around will be negotiating as if we are buying maggi and onions in the market. Some men will even request for sex on credit. I don’t blame them most times because I understand the situation.
“Some even do fake transfer. I have collected fake transfer severally. Since then I have made up my mind that I must see the alert before any show. This economic hardships have turned men to something else.”
Ayo operating around Gimbiya Street in Area 11: “Before in a night I know the number of short time I get before going for the last game which is usually all night. But now, it is very difficult to get a customer.
“The few men that come around will be bargaining as if they are in the market. Before apart from the normal pay, there were lots of fun and things to eat. But now everything has changed even to pay the normal bill is trouble, if you are not strong, they will go with your money.”
Dark skinned Happiness operates around Wuse Zone 4 and Wuse II, attributed the low patronage to the lent season.
Nneoma Eric said suffering is now her second name: “Ordinary standing on major city bus stops would earn me lots of money before. This hardship has spoilt everything, guys are no longer smiling these days.
“All we see are serious and angry looking men. When one is not happy, how can you talk of having fun. I am in a very tight corner now because my rent will be expiring next month. The man that rented the house for me has broken up with me.”