Some traders in some major markets in Lagos have said that porters earn more income daily than hurking of goods generally.
The traders told newsmen that porters had become an integral micro business in markets in spite of its stressful nature.
Mrs Salimot Ajao, a wholesale trader in household wares at Idumota market, said that the porters on a good or bad day, earn about N1,200 daily.
“We sometimes fold our arms on some days and watch them make money, while some of us who are traders barely sell anything following the nation’s economic challenges.
“But you know, your neighbour can sell, while you may not, so they get to offload and assist customers to move their goods to the bus and get paid immediately.
“On a good day, they make between N2,000 and N3,200 daily without paying shop rent, maintenance or accummulating debts,” Ajao said.
Mr Shekoni Lawal, another trader at Oyingbo foodstuff market, said that porters who largely assisted in the movement of goods were making market activities easier.
“This is a market where people buy things in bulk, hotel suppliers and restaurant owners all come here and the porters are highly needed always.
“Their job is stressful but unless they fall sick, they make money every day unlike those of us shop owners here, they sometimes make money than some traders, especially the small-scale traders.
“They can make up to N2,000 in a day, and even more, that is at least N60,000 monthly, which is more than the salaries of some graduates in Nigeria,” Lawal said.
Mr Yusuf Abdul, a market leader in Ebute-Ero market, Lagos Island, observed that most of the porters in the markets on the Island are women.
He said young women have taken over the business in their quest to earn decent income.
“Although these people make money, I can never allow my wife to be involved in carrying heavy loads for money.