Gwarinpa, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is known as the largest single housing estate in Nigeria and in West Africa with its architectural designs, good roads network and expensive houses.
The estate was designed and built by the administration of late General Sani Abacha.
It houses civil servants, diplomats, private businessmen and other high income earners.
The mega housing estate boasts of some of the most beautifully designed houses and sits on an expanse of land measuring about 1090 hectares with seven residential areas demarcated by large avenues.
Located under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), street food business excels in the area.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) describes street foods as ready-to-eat foods and beverages prepared and/or sold by vendors and hawkers, typically in streets and other public places. They are often characterized by being cheap, convenient, and easily accessible for millions of middle and low-income people.
Street foods are usually sold/displayed in the late hours of the day and it requires little capital or equipment to commence operation.
Our reporter who recently visited Gwarinpa observed that the concept which was first popularised by a young man known by his business name, Street Kings, has now turned into different dimensions with others coming up with their own idea.
One of the commonest foods on display was jollof rice. Other foods like swallow (Eba, Semo and Akpu), bean cakes, roasted plantain with fish, plantain chips, small chops, puff puff, fried rice and fried yam are also available.
In addition, there is white rice, spaghetti, roasted yam, moi moi, snail, suya, kilishi and Indomie noodles served hot.
Street vendors interviewed by Weekend Trust said that adequate training is required depending on the type of business because the market is quite competitive and could collapse if not managed effectively.
A lady who sells noodles on 3rd Avenue was still setting up when our correspondent caught up with her about 7.15pm.
She also sells fried yam, fried plantain and chips to meet the ever-increasing demand from clients, resulting in more than 80 daily customers.
According to her, she had been in the business for three years, adding that one can start with N100,000 or N120,000
“The amount I started the business with was lower then. It’s very lucrative. I make enough sales and this is what I use for my upkeep. Although, there are hazards attached to it, because I close around 5am daily,” the lady, who sought anonymity said.
Another vendor, Olayinka Dotun, said choosing a suitable location is necessary, adding that the business had helped cover family expenses such as school fees and rent over the years.
Dotun said: “Honestly, to thrive in this business, one has to choose a very nice and suitable location. I have been in it for over five years. This is where I get the money for my rent from, my children’s school fees and other family runs.
“Note that if not well managed, it could collapse easily.”
Taking a trip down to 1st Avenue, Weekend Trust encountered some customers, who had bought street foods and lived around the blocks.
Rufus Adekunle, a businessman, said many Nigerians like him depend on street foods to fight the current hardship being faced in the country.
He said: “Street food for me is a necessity. Many people who live in this axis depend on it to survive.
“It offers variety and apart from that, many people are able to tackle hunger while at their place of work, especially at night. It is very nice and I have no problem with it. It is unique, fun and delicious.”
Ibrahim Isiaka, another business owner, said street foods provide timely services especially when one is in a hurry to get to the office or could not get home for a decent meal.
“Irrespective of health hazards associated with it, the truth remains that these street foods are sometimes very helpful if one does not want to eat snacks and fizzy drinks.
“All you have to do is to walk to any nearby spot and you will be attended to in minutes whenever you are on the move and hungry,” Isiaka said.
Also, a staff of one of the shops in the area, who gave his name simply as Michael, said he doesn’t like cooking and would rather buy food from the streets than boil a kettle of water.
The fact is that, as a bachelor, cooking is tasking. So, I don’t always cook, especially when I am on night duty. Besides, I live alone and I don’t eat much. I make do with buying food from the streets.
“For as low as N500, one could get something really good to eat. Since I can’t cook with N1,500 with the current situation of the country, it is a good bargain for me to buy from the streets,” he said.
Nako Abdullahi, a civil servant and an entrepreneur, said though he is married, he eats out whenever he feels hungry.
“Due to my stomach ulcer condition, I have to eat every four hours. I can’t afford to stay hungry for a long time. There are times when I get home from work and food won’t be ready, I seek nearby street foods and eat. It is not every time I bother my wife with cooking, especially when she doesn’t feel like it. I can make little sacrifices,” Abduallahi said.
Why we patronise street food vendors
Blessing Makada, a single mother of one, said she patronises street food when she is too tired to cook.
Makada said: “I patronise food vendors at night when I’m too tired to cook. Another reason is that their food is somehow affordable compared to most restaurants around there. The aroma and flavor is also very nice. My favourite is oha or white soup. It’s affordable, with N1,500 you can eat good food at a street food joint. These days, most street food business owners keep their environments clean.”
However, for madam Ruth, she is of a different view that street food vendors don’t take cleanliness into consideration during the course of their business.
She says she prefers restaurants as their level of hygiene is usually different.
“Frankly, I prefer eating in big restaurants because their level of hygiene is usually high unlike some of the street food vendors we have here. They are always checked by relevant agencies, therefore they make sure they keep the place where the food is being prepared tidy. Anybody can start a street food business any time without taking cleanliness into consideration,” she said.
Ike Chioma was blunt with our reporter. She said she doesn’t enjoy cooking, she prefers street food spots because they prepare better meals.”
Chioma Peter, while speaking to Weekend Trust said, “The truth is that I don’t enjoy cooking, so I patronise street food joints on my way from work. This is due to economic reasons. They are very cheap. Also, some of them prepare better meals than the big restaurants we have in this area. Please, you can factcheck me. I really do not bother about the perceived health implications as long as the food is tasty, enjoyable and affordable.”
Onwe Princes, another customer, said some days ago she bought N9,000 worth of food which will cover dinner and breakfast for her family of four.
“Due to the nature of my job, I can’t always prepare food when I close my fashion design shop, but going to a street food joint, I can easily buy food without breaking the bank,” Princess said.
An attendant, Michael Olawale, told Weekend Trust on telephone that the demand had been overwhelming.
“Several people patronise my boss. We open at 6pm, but by 6:30pm, roasted yam, plantain, and beans are ready. Cars line up to buy from us, even though it is a very competitive business. Daily, we sell over 10 bunches of plantains,” he said.
Suya spots not left out
Suya, a spicy skewered meat popular across Nigeria, is amongst popular street delicacies that adorn the streets of Gwarimpa.
A suya seller, who simply gave his name as Ibrahim, said he makes between N5,000 and N10,000 profit daily.
Ibrahim said: “I start the business around 6pm when my customers are returning from work. As you can see, the business is really booming here. I make between N5,000 and N10,000 profit daily.”
Amongst those who patronise this suya spot seller is, Emeka who says, no day passes without him stopping by the spot to buy suya.
“I eat suya daily and can eat it with anything, bread, rice, pap, name it. Suya must be part of my night meal. When I am not in town, my night never feels complete because I am used to this particular suya spot. I am not a street food person per say but for the love of suya, I would say I am one,” he said.
Culled from Daily Trust
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