Washing cars has become another means of livelihood for
many unemployed youths resident in the federal capital
territory (FCT) today. Investigation by LEADERSHIP
WEEKEND shows that some of them are even graduates of
higher institutins wo ave failed to secure paid employment
years after leaving school.
Sunday Eboh is one of them. He told LEADERSHIP
WEEKEND that many graduates from universities and
polytechnics who had roamed Abuja’s streets in search of
unavailable white collar jobs ave now turned to the car
wash business.
“Many of the youths you see on Abuja streets washing cars
are graduates of one university or polytechnic in this
country. They are tired of roaming the streets in search of
jobs that do not exist and they have taken their fate into
their own hands by resorting to washing cars so that they
can survive,” Eboh said.
Although they operate illegally since the FCT would
obviously not approve of washing cars on asphalted roads,
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND also gathered that each car wash
operator earn between N4,000 and N5, 000 per day,
depending on patronage.
Another car washer, Okey Manu, said: “It was when I
started washing cars that I realised the monetary benefits
therein. This car wash business is a gold mine. If I tell you
how much we make each day, you will be surprised. Many
of us make more money daily than many civil servants?”
These moonlighting car wash operators in Abuja choose
their operation base well, invariably staying close to areas
where they can have access to water either from a flowing
river or from water pipes.
However, there are allegations that the illegal car wash
locations have contributed to cases of broken water pipes
in Abuja, leaving many homes in the FCT without water
supply from the territory’s water mains and forcing them
to drill boreholes.
Although it is obvious they are te patrons of these illegal car
wash operators, some residents of Abuja who spoke with
LEADERSHIP Weekend complained that their activities
constitute environmental and social hazards. Specifically,
they stated that the roads on which these car wasers operate
are usually filthy and water-logged, even in the dry season.
Of uppermost concern to residents, however, is the threat
these illegal car wash operations pose to the roads.
One resident who pleaded anonymity told LEADERSHIP
Weekend: “How can the FCT allow such a thing on the
highway? These car wash operators are damaging the roads
with the water they use to wash cars. Besides that, what of
the dangers these boys are exposed to as they wash cars on
the road, with all the mad drivers racing on Abuja road?
“No serious government would allow this to continue and I
expect the FCT authorities to stop it forthwith. Yes the car
wash boys are Nigerians and have the right to make a
living but they must not do it illegally as it is now or do it to
damage public infrastructure. These roads will soon
become damaged by water and then we’ll begin to shout
that government should fix them. A stich in time saves
nine. The FCT should tell these boys to go and do their car
wash business off the roads. That is my own position on
this issue.”
Recently, assistant director, community sanitation and
clinic, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB),
Emmanuel Akachie, disclosed that the board would soon
designate special areas for car wash business in the FCT,
especially in the capital city, Abuja.
Akachie, who spoke during a special community
environmental cleaning exercise in Gwagwalada, FCT
expressed the board’s concern about the social and
environmental nuisance caused by indiscriminate car wash
activities in Abuja.
The AEPB official stated that he had set up a committee to
draw a blueprint for the special car wash areas to solve the
problem.
He expressed optimism that the proposed policy would
create additional business oppotunities for FCT residents.
Also, public relations officer, AEPB, Joe Ukairo, told
Our men that in a matter of weeks, the
AEPB would come up with approved places and areas for
car wash in the FCT.
Ukairo noted: “Though we recognise the importance of car
wash as an essential service in the federal capital territory,
we cannot accommodate irregularities and indiscriminate
washing of cars on Abuja streets.”
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