Inside ‘Zimbabwe’ fish, meat market

It is located at Uke along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.It is known for the calibre of people who relax there after working hours, usually in the evenings. The gathering created a boom in the sale of roasted chickens and assorted, fresh and roasted fish.Women took the opportunity of the […]

It is located at Uke along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
It is known for the calibre of people who relax there after working hours, usually in the evenings. The gathering created a boom in the sale of roasted chickens and assorted, fresh and roasted fish.
Women took the opportunity of the gathering to empower themselves selling fresh fish and roasted fish and also chicken, which normally attracts the attention of personalities.
In a chat with Daily Trust, some of the women admit making more money from the sale of fish and chicken. They said the gathering was a fantastic opportunity, which makes them to become more relevant in their respective homes in terms of providing the most-needed assistance to their husbands at home.
A woman who preferred anonymity said since her husband lost his job some years ago, life became extremely difficult for them. According to her, a close friend who was in the same business introduced her to it.
“I am very happy at least I can give even my husband money to pay our children’s school fees. Without this business, probably I and my family will be begging money from people. But I refused to be idle; I still have my two hands,” she said.
Daily Trust asked her how much she makes a day: “Sometimes I make between N9,000 to N15,000 a day depending on the number of people who came that day. Sometimes I make more than that especially if it is at the end of the month when people receive their monthly salaries or stipend,” she said.
A lady, who simply identified herself as Esther, sells roasted fish and chickens. She told Daily Trust that the business thrives well in the area adding that she makes between N11,000 to N15,000 daily. She said they sell more when people come with their families to relax.  She stressed that some families may buy two to three chicken or roasted fish depending on the size of the family.
Ladi Bako, who said she was selling on behalf of her mother, said she would never forget the day she made N25,000 from selling roasted fish and chicken. “It was exciting moment for me” she said. “I couldn’t believe one can make so much money at once,” she added.
At Zimbabwe, a roasted chicken costs between N1,400 to N1,600 depending on size, while a roasted fish costs N1,100 full plate.  Half plate of fresh fish sells for N600.
Daily Trust investigation revealed that apart from fresh fish pepper soup which can be given to a buyer in parts, no seller was willing to sell chicken  in parts. The same goes for roasted fish. The buyer has to buy the fish whole as no seller cuts parts to sell. The chicken is only cut after it is bought.
 Apart from fresh fish and roasted chickens, sellers of assorted smoked “bush” meat also make brisk business. Chinyere is one of the sellers in the area. She sells monitor lizard, which people commonly refer to as alligator, squirrel, grass cutters, antelope and others.
She told this reporter that her supply comes from Bauchi State.
Checks on the prices of the smoked bush meat indicate that one squirrel costs N700; the alligator costs between N1,500 and N3,000 or even more depending on the size of the meat. According to her, grass cutter costs more because the demand for it is high. However, the antelope is sold in parts, she said.
A chat with some of the buyers revealed that the environment-the trees and the small river that passes through the area provides a natural, serene setting for them to relax and have fun with their families. “That is why you see a lot of big men here,” one patron said.
Few metres away from the area, young men also seize the opportunity to sell smoked and live fish on the both sides of the expressway, attracting visitors or travelers. They also sell fish to the women who are into the roasting business in the area. They don’t roast or cook their wares.  
21-year-old Sani Mohammed is one of the young men who are making money from the fishery business. “We go to fish farms around Uke and Masaka to buy the fish from the farmers. We smoke some while we sell some alive,” he said.
On how much profit he makesfrom the business, he said: “I make N10,000 or more depending on the number of people who buy from you.  It is through this business that I help my mother and my younger ones at home,” Mohammed said.
Zimbabwe is providing a huge opportunity for agribusinesses to thrive. More and more women and young men are seizing the opportunity to make money to improve their lives and support their families.