Drama King Teejay's CORNER

A few weeks ago, my sister who resides in the East called and asked if I could supply periwinkle, crayfish, and okazi. I told her I wasn’t sure I’d have the time for it.

She told me how people over there search for it. It’s lucrative and quite expensive. Twice I’ve sent periwinkle, crayfish, and okazi to her, not for commercial purposes though. 

When neighbors and friends saw it, they were like, “Can your brother waybill some for us?” She told me and I said I’d try if I get the chance. The first time I visited the location where crayfish is dried, it was amazing to see the transformation. It was at Brass, a suburb in present-day Bayelsa State. 

The price there was cheap compared to what it’s sold for in the market. I bought a quantity that filled two painter buckets. When I got upland, immediately I stepped out of the boat, the price I was offered was very good. I didn’t think of selling though; it was for my sister’s use.

I know a man in Owerri who specializes in crayfish as a business. He has up to three boys working for him. He buys in large quantities from Oron in Akwa Ibom State. He’s a supplier and has been in the business for over fifteen years. He’s a landlord and doing very well.

I met a lady around 2021 who usually travels all the way from Ebonyi State to Port Harcourt to buy periwinkle. I saw her at the Nembe Waterside jetty during one of my trips. We spoke for a few minutes. She hires a bus to transport her goods to Ebonyi State. Hearing the amount she pays for transportation, I asked if she makes a profit. She said yes, and a very good one. I believe so, otherwise she wouldn’t be coming almost every week. She supplies her customers in Ebonyi. She buys in large quantities.

Due to the rainy season, which occasionally affects our jobs and keeps us away from work most of the time, our productivity and income have dropped significantly.

A few days ago, I thought about this line of business and called my sister. She said if I can supply, she’s interested and can mobilize other people and connect them to me. After some thought, I said it would be more profitable for someone who has a car. Getting public transport for that kind of movement isn’t always easy, and even if you get one, the transportation charge is high. 

Apart from that line of business, I see selling flour, butter, and groundnut oil in retail as a lucrative business worth venturing into. The three commodities go hand in hand. People bake every day with the use of butter and groundnut oil, so the target market is readily available.
I’m still keeping my fingers crossed about the possibility of either of the two businesses.