Many Nigerians are returning to charcoal as an affordable substitute for cooking, ironing, and other purposes due to rising cooking gas prices and soaring fuel prices, including epileptic power supply, despite the Federal Government’s and others’ campaign and combative war against the charcoal trade.
Recall that, in order to ensure a safer, healthier environment and a more sustainable future, the Federal Ministry of Environment has launched and continues to launch campaigns against widespread deforestation, greenhouse emissions, black carbon, ozone layer depletion, and other issues in collaboration with state governments and relevant agencies.
Abubakar Muhammad Tahir, a councilor representing Mayana Ward in Gusau, Zamfara State, recently distributed charcoal bags and charcoal pressing irons to the ward’s residents. This sparked controversy among Nigerians, particularly environmentalists and climate change activists, who expressed worry that a public official was acting against the government’s climate change policies.
As Nigerians continue to groan about the epileptic power supply that has devastated businesses, particularly small-scale ones, some tailors have turned to charcoal irons as an option to meet customers’ deadlines, according to WITHIN NIGERIA.
Olayemi Faturoti, a 27-year-old fashion designer who expressed her dissatisfaction with the epileptic power supply in her area, told WITHIN NIGERIA that some customers had angrily left her business.
Faturoti, whose shop is located in Ijoka, Ilesa, revealed that she has disappointed many of her clients because she was unable to fulfill the deadline for garments submission owing to an epileptic power supply.
Faturoti claims that her neighbors and relatives have lost count of the number of times they have assisted her in intervening or pleading with impatient customers who did not comprehend her plight.
Faturoti, who mourned the sale of her generator, admitted that she could have handled her situation better if she hadn’t sold her power generation set when fuel subsidies were first phased out in 2023.
“I sold my generator because I couldn’t afford to buy petrol on a regular basis and expected the price to rise to N2000. I took out a loan in addition to the fund and utilized it to purchase another sewing machine. Our electricity wasn’t great, but it wasn’t as bad or as unstable as it was back then. I regret selling it since I would have utilized it despite rising fuel prices to achieve deadlines.”
She also revealed that she had no choice but to use the ‘charcoal iron’ she inherited from her mother (now deceased), a dressmaker, to meet deadlines.
While recommending other tailors who are affected by electricity to explore charcoal irons, she cautioned against using them on certain materials, notably white, because they stain.
Toyin Shittu, another fashion designer, told WITHIN NIGERIA that the area around her shop has been experiencing blackouts and epileptic power for more than two months.
Shittu, while complaining about epileptic power supply, revealed that charcoal iron had rescued her from embarrassment from impatient clients.
Shittu claimed that her electric sewing machine was rendered completely worthless due to a lack of or insufficient electrical supply, resulting in reduced outputs.
Shittu, who told WITHIN NIGERIA that she is uncomfortable using a charcoal iron to press certain fabrics, claims she has no choice but to use it.
“Epileptic power supply destroys business. Small enterprises rely largely on reliable electricity. An enabling climate draws investors and propels local entrepreneurs toward economic growth. Nigerians are crying.
“I believe the President and Minister in charge of power will do something about it,” a depressed Shittu implored. Another tailor, Taiwo Odeyemi, told WITHIN NIGERIA that all fashion designers must own charcoal irons because to epileptic power supply.
She added that generators are now considered a luxury owing to rising fuel prices, and that only large solar panels can accommodate irons, which are not only expensive but also cannot be used on a regular basis due to battery capacity.
She urged the government and related institutions to address the electrical crisis and assist small-scale enterprises that cannot afford alternatives to thrive.
