I am very happy with this new transformer!
Oluchi Atu runs a 'provision shop' in AMAC market, selling everyday items like soft drinks, biscuits and soap. She’s one of about 500 traders in the noisy, colourful market that’s packed every day with people buying clothes, shoes, meat and vegetables.
But the future of the market and Oluchi’s livelihood were threatened when traders began leaving because of the unreliable electricity supply.
A platform for accountability
As chair of the market’s union, Oluchi took the situation in her own hands and went on an episode of radio programme Talk Your Own – Make Naija Better (Make Nigeria Better).
The 30-minute weekly show uses a combination of interviews, walkabouts and discussions so people can hold authorities to account on the issues that matter to them – their water supply, roads or education, for example. The programme is broadcast on more than 100 partner radio stations across Nigeria.
In this episode, people from across the city and neighbouring states gathered in central Abuja to directly question a panel of officials on electricity issues and demand answers. Nigeria’s minister of power was one of the panellists.
During the recording, Oluchi raised her hand, stood up, and directly addressed the minister: “A lot of people are suffering in my market because we don’t have light at all. I want to know if we can get a bigger transformer to help us, because we, the traders, generate the money in this country.”
Quick response
Just a week after the programme’s recording, the transformer was replaced – much to the delight of the market traders.
One butcher said “It’s made a great change to my business because I used to lose about two or three cartons of my produce [due to lack of electricity].”
Oluchi, meanwhile, says she’d encourage anyone to take the opportunity to take part on Talk Your Own. “I was not afraid to ask the minister my question,” she says. “And I am very very happy with the new transformer!”
Stories of change
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Oluchi Atu, Nigeria
Due to a poor electricity supply, trader after trader was leaving Lugbe AMAC market in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja. But then the chair of the market appeared on an episode of radio show Talk Your Own – Make Naijia Better. She asked the minister of power to help and a week later a new transformer was installed. -
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