Traders are recording brisk sales at the ongoing Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recruitment and physical screening at the National Stadium in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Some of the traders told NAN in separate interviews on Tuesday that the exercise was an opportunity for them to sell their wares.
The traders said they had to close up their shops temporarily at Utako, Wuse and Garki markets in order to display their wares at the recruitment venues in view of the high patronage.
Pastor Peter Umeh, a trader who sales white canvas, shoes, stockings and short trousers at the venue, said the sales were encouraging but decried the low profit margin he recorded.
“My goods are essential for the candidates like white canvas shoes, T-shirts and others; the sales are encouraging but the current economic challenges, customers are begging for discount.
“We are encouraged by the turn over because the candidates are many and patronage is quite high.
“For instance, we sell the shoes at N1,500 in the market but here they priced it down to N800, the T-shirts are from N1,000 but they are pricing them at N700 and we have to sell,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Mr Timothy Chukwuma, a professional photographer at the recruitment venue, said the patronage was not adequate because most candidates came with their passport photographs.
He however added that the photographs were taken and printed in two minutes at a subsidised rate of eight copies at N700 and four copies at N400 for candidates who forgot or misplaced their passport photographs.
In the same vein, Mr and Mrs Samuel Akhigbe, who were engaged in photocopying business, said they were excited over the sales recorded since the commencement of the screening.
They noted that the candidates were mandated to make photocopies of their documents which had resulted to high patronage, adding that each copy is done at N50 because they use generating plants.
Similarly, food and confectionery vendors were not left out as they also record high patronage from the exercise.
Mrs Irene Okoro, who sells soft drinks and snacks, said she was happy with the patronage from candidates and people around.
“I have been selling since morning; I thank God for this exercise, I wish they will continue till next month; I am so happy with my sales.
“I thank God for everything,’’ she added.
NAN reports that the exercise, which began on Sept. 24, will last on Sept. 30. (NAN)