The business of newspaper vending is an age-long endeavour that has weathered the storm, sustained families, provided the means for parents to train their children in school and enabled many to own properties.
Sellers of newspapers, popularly called ‘vendors’ have contributed so much in information dissemination around the world. Before the advent of the internet, ‘vendors’ were the only source of news, for those who were used to newspapers.
It’s only through ‘vendors’ that newspapers are found in the streets and offices. Without a ‘vendor’, the president of the country cannot have access to dailies. Same with other VIPs. Unfortunately, despite this noble role, ‘vendors’ are always treated with so much disdain.
In the streets where they run after vehicles and risk their lives to pass information to the reading public, they are not respected. They are abused and humiliated by motorists. Most times, they are harassed and intimidated by agents of government. They are hounded around and treated like common criminals.
In offices where they supply newspapers, ‘vendors’ are owed several months without any iota of consideration for their wellbeing. Nobody cares that they have families to cater for. Nobody cares that they have to take loans to sponsor their supplies and are mentally tortured.
Many of them have been frustrated out of the business and thrown into the already saturated labour market, thereby worsening our national situation.
Newspaper vending is one business that plays pivotal role in the country and should not be allowed to die. While internet has done the business and the entire print media industry a heavy blow, the activities of government and its agents continue to hurt the trade.
Street vending and office supplies cannot be erased as long as we continue to have the hardcopies of newspapers. The aggressive approaches by agents of government towards ‘vendors’ need to be looked into and reviewed. A situation where ‘vendors’ are arrested arbitrarily and thrown into cell over trumped-up charges must stop.
“Vendors” are not criminals but legitimate and very hardworking people earning a decent living.
Government offices that owe ‘vendors’ and don’t consider their pains should do better and ensure prompt payments for ease of doing the business. Those long-term debts hurt everyone, including the media organizations that produce the dailies. Their payments should be prioritized.
On the issue of monetization that helped to cripple the business, the various media organizations through NPAN should put pressure on the federal government to reverse the policy so that more money can flow into the industry through ‘vendors’ who supply newspapers to government offices.
If all the allocations in our annual budgets for purchase of newspapers are properly utilized, the newspaper industry and ‘vendors’ would be better off.
Finally, as partners-in-business, media organizations should take the newspaper-vending business and welfare of ‘vendors’ more seriously. They have louder and more respected platforms to push for policies and programs that can benefit ‘vendors’.
They can push for the abolition of monetization policy, to put more money in the pockets of ‘vendors’, and also draw government’s attention to the suffering ‘vendors’ who are about the most hardworking Nigerians one can find around.
‘Vendors’ dedication and consistency even in the face of grave challenges can’t be found in many trades. They need to be encouraged and supported. Some have struggled to train their kids in school but no job for those children. Media houses can use their influence to facilitate job opportunities for them.
Some ‘vendors’ are down with life-threatening ailments while others have been knocked down by vehicles in the course of vending and are bed-ridden, but no help. They can be assisted medically.
Many have been frustrated out of the business and are wallowing in abject poverty with no hope of help from anywhere. They can be empowered financially or with skills for diversification.
The list is endless.
The time is now for all the relevant stakeholders to rise up and salvage what remains of the newspaper vending business.
Yes, the time is NOW!
Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John is the President of Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA). He can be reached on 08060304271
