Owing to the prolonged power outage in some parts of Nigeria, including Jos, phone charging spots in the town and its environs have been recording high patronage.
The correspondent who visited some of the charging centres reports that residents were trooping in their numbers to charge their phones.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed the fault in its 330KV Ugwaji-Apir transmission line and said efforts were on top gear to fix the problem.
Most owners of such charging spots largely sell phone accessories.
John Greg, whose charging spot is in the Tudun Wada community of Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, said the power outage had increased patronage.
Mr Greg said patronage had increased, as he now charges over 700 phones daily due to the power outage in northern states.
‘’Before now, I charged each phone for N100, but since we also use generators and with the hike in the price of fuel, we have also increased the price of our services to N200 per phone,’’ he said.
Mr Greg explained that the hike in the price of charging had not affected the level of patronage, insisting that his services were crucial, particularly for phone users who can’t afford generators in their homes.
Also, Sunday James, who owns a charging spot in the Hwolshe community of Jos South LGA, said he collects N150 per phone and power bank for his services.
Mr James explained that he uses a generator to provide the service and attends to more than 600 customers daily.
‘’I am particularly not happy that this is happening in a country with abundant human and capital resources, a country that God has so blessed.
‘’But this is the situation we have found ourselves in, and we are taking advantage of it to make money. This is not stealing or cheating, but providing services to those in need,’’ he said.
Mr James, however, said the charging business required time and presence and added that it had stopped him from attending to other businesses.
(NAN)
