By Obiabin Onukwugha
Aba, in Abia state is one of the busiest cities in Nigeria. It is home to the Ariaria International Market, thus making it the second largest market in Nigeria after the Onitsha Main Market.
Besides the Ariaria international market, Aba also hosts other businesses and is famous for its handicrafts.
However, journeying to Aba, especially using the Port Harcourt route is a herculean task as the roads have been broken down without repairs for several years.
The Abia State government, recently announced that it would embark on some rehabilitation work on the Port Harcourt-Aba express way that has become a nightmare to ameliorate the plights of motorists and travellers. The announcement was sequel to a visit by the Minister for Works, Dave Umuahi, to the state.
Naturenews checks revealed that some gullies between the Imo Gate and Asa Army Checkpoint area along the road has been filled up. However, work is yet to commence within the city.
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With this development, some youths have decided to turn the ugly situation to employment opportunities. It was observed that the youths position themselves in different locations where gullies are deep, waiting for broken down vehicles to push.
One of the youths who gave his name as Egbuka said they charge between N500 to N1000 for Keke depending on whether it is loaded with goods or passengers, while commercial vehicles pay as much as N3,000 to N5,000, depending on the load and time of the day.
Another youth, Nnamdi, told this correspondent that he makes as much as N5,000 to N10,000 per day, after sharing with his colleagues.
He said: “We used to make a lot of money. We know that vehicles must break down here and that is why we always stay here to push them and we charge them some money.
“My legs used to scratch me when I get home but I use hot water to soak it so that I can come out the next day.
“We do this almost every year during rainy season because it has been long that this road is like this and the government does not want to work it.”
