How canoe peddlers are cashing out in Maiduguri flood

Some canoe paddlers in Maiduguri are experiencing a surge in business as demand for their services skyrockets following the flood disaster that devastated the historic city.

The flood submerged Maiduguri in the past 10 days following the breakdown of spillways at the Alau dam.

The disaster submerged residential areas, farmlands, cut off roads and displaced thousands of households.

A NAN correspondent, who went round the metropolis, reports that people are patronising canoes to move from one point to another, a trend which availed the peddlers opportunities to earn more money from the trade.

In some of the flood submerged areas such as College of Agriculture, Muna and 505 Housing Estate, the unreceeding water forced residents to hire canoes to enable them to access their homes.

A peddler, simply identified as Haruna, said that he charged N5,000 and above, to ferry a passenger to the flooded residential quarters and other affected areas.

He said that most of the passengers were going to their homes for damage assesment or to collect some belongings.

“It depends on the distance and what a passenger is going to do. If we are to carry some items, then charge will rise up to N10,000 or more,” he said.

Meanehile, some fishermen and children were recording good fish harvest in the flood affected areas.

While fishermen were using proper fishing nets, the children used mosquito nets and bare hands to fish in the receding waters and artificial ponds created by the floods.

One of the children, Danladi said the experience worth it, as they were making good catch of fish.

“Sometimes what we catch is enough for soup when we mobilise in groups.

“Most of the fish are tiny, we fry or roast them to eat,” Danladi said.

It will be recalled that the Borno government had reopened the Maiduguri Central Market known as Monday Market for businesses 10 days after the flood. 

The North East Development Commission Commission (NEDC) also donated N3 billion to the state government, to support small businesses affected by the disaster.

NAN