Igbo Etche Entrepreneurs Decry Bad Road, Poor Power Supply

Entrepreneurs in Igbo Eche Community have decried the effects of bad road and poor electricity supply on their businesses.
Making this known in a chat with The Tide at their community, they said these issues had been major set backs to them.
A shop owner, Emen Friday, said the problem of bad road results to increased transport fares which inturn are paid by the buyers, “who are always complaining of high cost of products.
“The problem of transportation is double on our businesses because of the high cost of fuel  in addition to bad road. The masses are suffering in this country.
“Most times we sell at a loss because people must eat. If a woman with four children comes to buy one rubber of  garri  and instead of #1,500, she has #1,350 and tells you this is the only money l have. We don’t even have money for soup. We want to drink the garri.
“You cannot close your eyes and watch her go out without selling at a loss to save life. The prices of everything has become 10 times higher than what it was. It is only during election that you see them recognisng the masses.
“Doing business here is difficult. Staying idle is the worst because one will become the devil’s workshop”.
She noted that transporters had to turn round and round to get to Igbo Eche, adding even the place they come out to would soon be unusable if not urgently attended to.
Another entrepreneur who deals on cold drinks, David Ike, said, “doing my business here is not a child’s play. No steady light and the price of fuel is very high. Tell me how someone can meet up.
“The cost of bringing the drinks through the bad road is on one side, the cost of making the drinks cold is another. What is happening in Nigeria now is the survival of the fittest”.
In her contribution, Mrs. Rose Dike said she has to close down her shop to avoid the stress and pressure the situation of the business is posing on her health.
“I will sell at a loss and will still borrow money to treat the heart break-related challenges caused by the losses. My dear,  it is better that you are not doing business than you are doing business and is still begging for money every time”, she said.
She called on the State Government to remember Igbo Eche road to help the living condition of the people, adding majorly of the workers go to work in Port Harcourt town from here.

By: Lilian Peters