Borehole water vendors, popularly known as “Mai’ruwa” in the Karu-Nyanya axis, are doing brisk business due to the lack of pipe-borne water in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the area has stopped having access to portable water provided by the FCT Water Board since late 2023.
Some of the water vendors, who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Sunday, said the development had given them an opportunity for their businesses to thrive.
A vendor, Malam Abdul Musa, said he was making more money now compared to when the area had pipe water.
”Any day I decide to work and give all my customers that demand for water, even under the sun, I can make between N7,000 and N10,000 daily.
”I sell one truck for N600, depending on the nature of the compound where my customers reside.
”If the compound is a two-story building where I have to climb staircases, I will charge N1000 per truck.
”If there is no light, I will sell one truck for N700 and N1,200 for people staying in two-story buildings,” he said.
Another water vendor, Mr. Babangida Goji, said the business was booming as a result of the development.
He said that the proceeds from the business had helped him to cater for his family.
”I am from Katsina State, and I came to Abuja to look for greener pastures.
”When I did not see any other thing to do, I decided to sell water.
”The business has been slow before, but when the water board stopped bringing water, people started patronising us better.
”Now, I send money to my family in Katsina every week,” he said.
Another “mai’ruwa,” Ahmed Isaku, said the dry season also helped them to make more money from the business.
NAN gathered from a staff member of the FCT Water Board, who pleaded anonymity, that a central water distribution pipe broke along Kugbo (near Nyanya).
The source said the pipe broke at a very strategic location, which made it difficult for the board to address it.
It also said it would cost the board a huge amount of money to rectify and fix the damaged pipe. (NAN)
