How women are joining fuel ‘black market’

Women who from the outset were strictly restricted to the kitchen and other domestic chores, have not only liberated themselves from that confinement, but are presently dominating the men’s world, the recent one being selling fuel to motorists in jerry cans popularly called black market, no thanks to fuel scarcity.Before now, the business of ‘black […]

Women who from the outset were strictly restricted to the kitchen and other domestic chores, have not only liberated themselves from that confinement, but are presently dominating the men’s world, the recent one being selling fuel to motorists in jerry cans popularly called black market, no thanks to fuel scarcity.
Before now, the business of ‘black marketing’ has always been transacted by the men, precisely the youth. Rarely would you see men in their 50s hawking this essential but scarce commodity along the road, not to talk of women. The reason for such ‘discrimination’ is not farfetched.
Essentially because of the stress and the risk involved in the illegitimate business, it takes a man full of energy and strength to survive the nitty-gritty involved in it. Right from the point of purchase of the product at the petrol station to  the stage of delivery to the end user, or ultimate consumer who are the motorists, the process is not only rigorous, but energy sapping.
Due to its illegality, the black marketers are always at alert in anticipation of the security and task-force agents who are always running after them and can suddenly storm at any point in time. Whether at the filling stations where the products are purchased or along the road where they are marketed, the boys are at the mercy of these ‘enemies’.
Besides, the entire process is time consuming. Apart from the time spent at the filling station to procure the commodity and selling   it, sometimes consumes its own time. Sometimes, some might spend several hours before selling just a 20litre jerry can.
Unfortunately, the same job characterized by these harsh conditions with its attendant consequences, has not just been ventured into by the feminine folk, but are being hijacked by the women, mostly mothers, whose responsibilities have always been that of home keeping.
What could be responsible for this trend? What could have forced them into such risk-taking and time-consuming task?
Some women, who spoke to The Home Front, attributed their plight to the harsh economic condition in the country brought about by persistent bad leadership.
They said they are left with no option as they cannot afford to fold their hands and helplessly watch their precious children die of hunger.
They however urged the incoming administration to, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of unemployment and state of the economy in order to improve the standard of living of the masses.
A petty trader in Kubwa market, who simply identified herself as Mama Damy, said she usually wakes up as early as 4 a.m. to go and queue at the filling station with about five  jerry cans of 50 litres to ensure she gets the product as fast as possible.  
“I have never been lazy in my life. If not for my kind of person, my children could have died of hunger. Waking up early has become my  lifestyle. It is only when one goes early to the petrol station that she can get fuel faster,” she said.  
Mama Damy, who said she is also into babies’ wears said she has never depended on her husband, who she accused of not being interested in the family’s welfare nor their daily bread.
Another woman, who craved anonymity said she had made some good money since the fuel scarcity started barely a month ago, adding that most of her customers are men who patronise her on the grounds of sympathy.
“My customers who are mostly men patronise me simply because I am a woman. I don’t think some of these boys make the kind of money I make every day” she said.
The woman who hawks fuel around the MOPOL barracks in Dei-Dei, however acknowledged that it has not been easy doing the business, especially in view of the risks involved in the process.
“It is true the task force use to pursue us sometimes. But they have never carried my fuel. They just warn me and allow me to go” she added.