BUSINESS IN PLATEAU STATE
BY V. ALP-PEA
In the wake of the circle of violence that has rocked the very foundation of Plateau State, virtually all sectors and strata of society have been affected. Worst hit is its socio-economic life. Some businessmen, whose shops were either looted, burnt or both have either relocated to other areas perceived to be safe within the city or in some cases out of the state. And if the crisis has tremendously affected business, the negative press Jos gets has further aggravated issues.
Irrespective of all these odds, however, most surprising is the business resilience in the city. Business in Jos continues. Is it the cheap varieties of food and vegetables, the benign and marvelous weather or the numerous tourists’ sites scattered across the length and breadth of the Plateau?
With these questions in mind, TMV took a tour across the business communities in the city on a research of the secret behind the sudden rise in business activities.
“It is God” Chukwudi Kelechi, a dealer in electronics said. “Everybody knows that Plateau state is strategically placed within this country. That is why even if there’s crisis, just give few hours and normal business activities and life will continue” Kelechi concluded.
The Vice President of the Traders Union of the Kabong Market, Mr. Peter Anonye while speaking to TMV accepted that despite the security challenges, business continues.
A visit to the Rukuba Road Satellite Market is a further attestation to the fact that normal business activities have resumed. The market was a beehive of activities as people buy and sell and security personnel are sighted at strategic locations watching all activities with eagle eyes. Staff of the market union manned major entrances frisking persons and vehicles that entered with electronic metal detectors.
The popular Ahmadu Bello Way was also alive as people were seen transacting business and other markets visited had similar looks. It is the prayer of virtually all residents that the status quo be maintained and sustained.