Economy
SOME auto mechanics in Bauchi have expressed concern over low patronage of the trade occasioned by the economic crunch.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi, showed that there have been a lull in mechanic trade due to poor patronage.
A cross-section of the mechanics, who spoke in seperate interviews with NAN, described the situation as “pathetic”.
Abbati Umar, an auto mechanic at Yankari workshop in the metropolis, said that he was not making good businesses since the fuel subsidy removal in the past seven months.
He said that low purchasing power of the people coupled with high cost of spare parts exposed the auto mechanics to loss customers.
“Many people parked their vehicles as they couldn’t afford exorbitant spare parts and pump price.
“Presently, most private car owners opted for public transportation while others resorted to motor bikes and bicycles due to high cost of petrol.
“The situation negatively affected the trade forcing many of us to closed shops,” he said.
Umar said that before the economic crunch he fixed 20 cars in a month as against less than five now.
“I fixed only one car today, the garage is empty, no patronage, the situation is worrisome”.
Shamsu Abubakar, who corroborated earlier opinion, said the trend made them to became redundant.
He said that he and his apprentices slept most of the time owing to low patronage.
“We are struggling to fend for our family needs, the future remains bleak,” he said.
Another mechanic, Dauda Mahmood, said he has been in the trade for over 20 years, adding that poor patronage was making auto mechanic less attractive.
Mr Alyuda Moses, a resident, said he couldn’t repair his car due high cost of spare parts.
Also, Mr Ikenna Ugo, a spare parts dealer, said he was not making good sales due to poor market condition.
He called for sound monetary policies to check inflationary trend and support businesses to improve the socizl and economic wellbeing of the people. (NAN)
F.A
April 24, 2024
Tags: low patronage
