Sitting on a wooden stool in front of her shop. Ngọzi yawned loudly. She was hungry but hadn't made any sales from her wares of vibrant Ankara fabrics that hung neatly from ropes in her shop.
She tried her best to get her first customer that morning, but all her efforts were futile. Now she hoped for a miracle, and if none happened, she'd have to go eat food on credit from the buka down the road.
She wiped her brow and tucked a stray braid behind her ear. Then she sighed as she spotted Mr Wale, the dreaded market task force, dressed in his usual oversized uniform and making his way to her stall. His presence was usually followed with silent chatters and curses. He was known for his game of illegal fees, baseless fines, and threats.
“Ngozi!” His deep voice boomed as he stopped at her stall, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Mr Wale. How can I help you?" She asked, keeping a mean face and forcing a calm voice.
"At least greet me good afternoon first before asking how I can help you" Mr Wale blurted out.
"Mr Wale, I don't have that time for too many talks. Please go straight to the point". This time, Ngọzi sounded rude. She couldn't hide her hatred for Mr Wale any longer.
“Well. Today you're owing us market maintenance fees.”
Ngozi’s brows furrowed. “What nonsense maintenance fee is that? I'm very sure that I've paid my levy for last month. How did this one come about?" She asked angrily.
"You don't ask questions. You simply pay. As the name implies, it's for the maintenance of the market," Mr Wale continued.
Ngọzi laughed mockingly. "Which maintenance? For which market exactly? The same one that the gutters are clogged and everywhere dirty and stinks. Which nonsense maintenance?" By now, Ngọzi was losing it. Coupled with the fact that she hadn't made any sales that morning, it tripled her anger, and Mr Wale was the best person to let it out on.
By now other traders in their shop were concentrating on the exchange between them. She could feel their eyes on her stall.
Mr Okon grinned wider, his teeth stained with kola nuts. “ If you don’t pay, you'll leave me with no choice but to confiscate your goods.” he threatened
"I'd like to see you try" " she replied, standing up and taking a strong stand to guard her shop.
By now the crowd around them has grown bigger. Whispers and curses directed at Mr Wale. Her boldness was like a motivation to traders who had suffered similar experiences at the hands of Mr Wale, giving them the boldness to fight.
“You dare challenge me?” Mr. Okon snarled, his face darkening. “Have you forgotten who I am?”
Ngozi took a deep breath. “You are just that greedy official that goes about confiscating people's goods even when they've paid their dues to the market union. If you don't leave here now, we'll have to take this matter up to the market chairman. I'd love to hear what he had to say about collecting maintenance fees twice a month. Or better still find out if he knows about this illegal maintenance fee".
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Whispers of "Yes, let's go to the chairman” filled the air.
“Chairman?” Mr Wale's voice suddenly became soft. “It hasn't gotten to that. This is something we can settle amicably" he gave a fake smile.
Ngozi crossed her arms. “Oh really?.” She mocked him.
Stepped out of her shop, "Yes really. We can discuss this later. There is no need for us to fight or go to the chairman,' he added, turning away from the crowd and walking away. Leaving everyone stunned.
Ngọzi smiled. She has always known that some of the fees Mr Wale imposed on them were illegal and without the knowledge of the market chairman. And today confirmed her suspicions. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air as everyone watched Mr Wale walk away shamefully. Then the traders around her burst into applause, clapping and cheering for her.
“How did you know it was an illegal fee?" One of the traders asked her.
Ngozi smiled, her cheeks warm. “Just luck, I guess. I'm sure from now henceforth, he won't take advantage of us again".
Just then, a customer walked into her shop. "You've got beautiful fabrics; how much do you sell them for?" the customer asked.
Ngọzi smiled. She just got her first customer for the day after a strong battle with Mr Wale.
"Please take a seat first. My fabrics are at affordable prices" she replied with a smile.
Glossary
Buka *Local Restaurant
