Daily Trust

Following the demolition of Jimeta market (now Jimeta ultra modern market) by the Boni Haruna administration, many traders, especially fruits, meat and fish sellers, migrated to a shanty area in Yola North local government known as Kasuwar Gwari to earn a living. Our reporter visited the market.

The market is located along the Jimeta bye-pass and is patronized by many who think goods are sold there at cheaper rates compared to other markets within the Adamawa State capital.

To a first time visitor, Kasuwar Gwari presents the picture of a ghetto. But a closer survey reveals a market with so many commercial activities while it also serves as home to many traders. The market has various segments where one can buy different kinds of fruits like oranges, paw-paw, pineapples, watermelon, mangoes and vegetables, as well as sections for meat, grains, yams and provision stores.
Business men and women from other parts of the country, both young and old, come from other parts of the country to patronize the market. A closer scrutiny of the environment and the people buying and selling there raise concerns over the hygiene condition of the market. A recent visit there by our reporter clearly showed that the inhabitants of this Kasuwar Gwari have chosen to defy the poor sanitary condition to seek ways of survival.

But in spite of its poor sanitary condition, life at Kasuwar Gwari seems interesting as everyone is mindful about what he or she does - legally or illegally - to earn a living. Most of the traders and buyers attribute the patronage of the market to the economic meltdown which has forced people to turn to markets where goods and services can be obtained at cheaper rates.
Bello Master, a resident of Kasuwar Gwari , who hails from Yobe State told this reporter that he enjoys living in the market, where he operates public toilet. “I really enjoy this market so much because it gives me the freedom to do my businesses. I also sell Indian hemp at my free time to supplement my earnings”, he said.

Pointing towards a makeshift thatch, Bello said: “I live there in that shack and work in the public toilet, the proceeds from which I feed myself and also save a little to send to my family back home.”
Mallam Yusuf, a fruits seller who hails from Gombe State said he pays N3, 000 monthly for his shed which also serves as his home.  He said: “I work and sleep here during the dry and rainy seasons. In addition to that, I also pay N20 every day to the market officials as is the case with every trader in the market.”

On the filthy environment, Yusuf said he has no.  “I did not leave my home in Gombe for enjoyment. So, I have to accept things in good faith in order to make ends meet.’’

Mr John Yorro, a labourer, says he enjoys life in the market, adding that he makes a minimum of N500 daily out of which he saves N200 every day.
Describing the market as a place to visit, a buyer, Mallam Salihu Usman, popularly known as Sarkin Yakin Yola, said there is need for government to re-design and re-structure the place to be more conducive for the traders who chose to do business there.
Their long stay here also gave the place popularity but unfortunately the third tier of government, Yola North council, seems to neglect the place despite the huge revenue it realizes from the market,’’ he said.

He called for the construction of open and lock-up shops, boreholes, toilet facilities, an out-post police station as well as complete fencing of the place to provide adequate security.

Due to the heterogeneous nature of the people who patronise goods in the market, one wonders if it is free from crime, but an official of themarket, Muhammmad Bello, said criminal activities are not so pronounced due to surveillance mechanisms put in place.
In his words: “No fighting and stealing within and around the market vicinity. In this place, fighting is regarded as more of a crime than smoking Indian hemp. Security operatives could be seen patrolling, ensuring that there is peace and stability within and around the area.’’
Speaking on the efforts being made to upgrade the market, a senior principal adviser on local government matters to Governor Murtala Nyako, Sani Muhammad Jada, said plans are underway by the  administration to put in place modern facilities to raise the standard of the market.