Yahuza Bawage
It was a cold morning in Jos, the Plateau state capital in Central Nigeria. Abdulmalik Magwe Bello, along with other young men, stood in line, waiting for their buckets to be filled with boiling water from a large pot in one of the houses in their Rikkos neighborhood.
Cold weather in Jos( photo credit: Google)
Bello was in a rush that morning, determined not to miss his 9 a.m lectures at the Nigerian Television Authority College Jos, where he is studying broadcast journalism. When his turn came in the queue, he handed his bucket to the attendant, who filled it with the scalding water. After quickly paying the ₦50 fee, he hurried off with the water to his house, located 650 meters away.
For years, Jos has been known for its cool climate, which can be particularly biting during the harmattan season. This cold weather, coupled with the difficulty of accessing boiled water, creates a discomfort for residents. With no specific data available on the scale of the problem, many find it challenging to bathe with cold water, especially during the colder months. Bello is no exception.
So, what changed?
In 2021, before Bello moved to Rikkos, a community in Jos North Local Government Area, Rabi Baba, a local food vendor, recognized the discomfort caused by Jos’ chilly climate and the scarcity of boiled water. She soon decided to transition from her food vending business to provide what she described as a much-needed service: selling boiled water to residents of the Rikkos community.
Residents survival code against cold weather( Photo credit: Yahuza Bawage)
Every night, Rabi would procure water. By morning, she would boil it using charcoal and then sell it in buckets to customers. Prices for the boiled water now start at ₦50 and vary depending on the quantity purchased.
Over time, residents in the Rikkos community, including both men and women, began flocking to Rabi’s house to take advantage of this initiative.
“You can see by yourself how people are coming to buy the water. Even though I have not been long into the business, people are quietly aware of it,” Rabi told this reporter.
Bello, however, is not the only customer finding relief from this initiative. Many other young people are now able to afford boiled water for bathing, which saves them time and potentially helps them reduce the health risks associated with using cold water.
Isma’il Hamza is another young person who often seeks boiled water for bathing due to health concerns. “Bathing with cold water comes with health risks,” he explained. “I have a lot of things to do in the early morning. To not waste time, I always look for prepared boiled water to bathe before going out for my daily activities.”
The initiative is also easing the workload for numerous housewives in Rikkos who no longer have to struggle with preparing breakfast meals alongside boiling water for their children and husbands who are supposed to leave early for school and workplaces. It also serves as a lifeline for postpartum mothers who require boiled water for bathing daily.
Sani Waziri, a commercial driver, is always on the lookout for boiled water. Although he is married with children, he stated that he always prefers the boiled water at Rabi’s place because his wife is busy with household chores early in the morning. “I pity her and don’t want to add to her stress. So, that’s why I go out to purchase the boiled water every day,” he explained.
The impact of this initiative has since spread beyond Rikkos, with similar ventures being replicated in neighbouring Gangare junction, Tudun OC, and Unguwar Yarbawa areas in the Jos North Local Government Area.
While Rabi continues to make ends meet through the business, the number of her customers increases daily. However, challenges remain.
According to Rabi, the escalating cost of charcoal is affecting the business because, as of recently, she can’t maintain sufficient stock. “The bag of charcoal that used to sell for ₦5,000 now costs ₦15,000,” Rabi bemoaned. “Prior to this, I could sell water for as little as ₦10. But, as a result of how things are now, it has changed to ₦50 upwards.”
Operating the business from home also presents challenges in terms of accessibility as some customers don’t feel comfortable entering Rabi’s house. They prefer a shop in a more visible location.
“Someone like me, I don’t like visiting people’s houses because I am too shy. I just go there because it’s my only option,” 28-year-old Bello stated.
Now, there is a consistent demand for boiled water. There are also instances where customers require water at a higher temperature than what is currently offered. This limits the business’s ability to fully satisfy customer preferences. However, Rabi said she is working towards improving the overall business.
