As the harmattan season takes hold in Kano metropolis, street vendors of dust masks are experiencing a significant boost in business, with the daily sale of the protective gear witnessing a considerable rise.
Many residents, particularly motorcyclists, are adopting the use of dust masks to shield their mouths and noses from inhaling the fine dust particles characteristic of the harmattan season.
Vendors shared their experiences with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, revealing a substantial increase in customer patronage.
Ali Sani, a seller specializing in fabrics and clothing materials, reported that his daily sales of face masks have doubled since the commencement of the harmattan season. “I sold close to 20 daily before, but now I sell an average of 50 to 60 pieces daily, and the business is good,” Sani remarked.
Buba Musa, a student engaged in selling face masks, noted that he has been consistently selling around 50 face masks per day over the past two weeks.
Nasiru Gezawa, a trader dealing in face masks and hand gloves, highlighted that the high patronage began in the first week of December but has further increased with the onset of the harmattan. “I have enjoyed high patronage from the onset of the Harmattan; business has been very good. In fact, I sell two packs of clothing daily,” he stated.
Hajiya Hadiza Kabir, a civil servant who uses nose masks daily, mentioned that the masks, which were initially sold for N50, have seen a price increase to between N60 and N70. Despite the price hike, she recently purchased a pack containing 50 pieces for her entire family.
The streets of the metropolis now showcase a diverse array of face masks, reflecting the heightened awareness and demand for protection during the harmattan season.
