Traders Make Brisk Business At Militants’ Camp

Some petty traders and residents of Ogada and neighbouring communities are making brisk business at the ex-militants Federal Government’s Post Amnesty training camp in Obubra, Cross River.

The Tides source reports that social and economic activities had flourished in the camp since June 28, when the ex-militants arrived in the camp.

No fewer than 20,192 repentant militants affected by the October 2009 amnesty granted by the Federal Government were expected to benefit from the training programme.

The source learnt that the first batch of the 2,000 trainees would stay in the camp, up to six months.

But jobbers, contractors and petty traders were seen interacting freely with the trainers and beneficiaries of the training on transformational and non-violent behaviour.

Hawking by women and kids who roam freely or operate from what observer call ‘emergency kiosks’ were seen doing quick business.

Business-conscious residents of neighbouring Owakanda 1and 2, Mile 1, Imabana Itamtet, and Ikom communities had also joined in the rush to provide services where required.

Prices of beverages, cigarettes and alcoholic drinks have gone up within the camp.

A can of soft drink sells for N1.50 kobo, the same price for a can of beer in the camp.

The few available hotels in the area are fully booked and their charges for a night have also gone up.

Proprietors of restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses were seen making efforts to beef up stocks and take advantage of the opportunity.

The Tides source learnt that no fewer than 50 auxiliary workers, drawn from communities around the camp have been engaged as workers in the camp.

They are engaged as cleaners, cooks, dry cleaners and messengers, while some of the villagers were sighted at the camp soliciting for jobs.

One of the petty traders, Mrs Christiana Ojong, said the arrival of the trainees boosted business in the area.

“We are happy that we now recording sales, unlike before. In the next six months we will be busy because we expect plenty visitors.

“Initially we were afraid of the boys when they started coming into our villages. But now we are at home with them. But some of them are rash,’’ she said.

She said that traders woke up early to attend to the visitors and close late as the people were always around Obubra town having fun.

“We welcome what Federal Government has done by sending them here. They are our customers, they pay and cooperate.”

One of the female workers in the camp said the trainees did not embarrass them in camp.

“They did not really embarrass me, they were very strange at first and we were scared considering the story we heard about them.

“But today they are relating well with us and businesses are booming.

“Everywhere in town, people are selling from toilet soaps to drinks. To be frank, the people drink,’’ she said.

A youth leader from Ogada II village, Mr Chris Mbonga, said the arrival of the trainees was a good development.

According to him the community is playing a significant role in the history of the nation.

Mbonga, a trader based in Obubra, said, “initially, some of our people lived in fear since their arrival.

He, however, acknowledged that in the last couple of days, socio-economic activities and security within the communities had been beefed up.