Chioma Nnani: These are the Bare Necesities
There's a line from a song that's been playing in my mind – bare necessities; these are the bare necessities – for days, now. I can't remember the actual song, or where I heard it; but a couple of situations have made the lyrics that I can actually remember rather apt.
One of the things that is – in my estimation – rather crucial for different kinds of business operations is electricity. The very thing whose supply can range from epileptic to non-existent in Nigeria. The very thing that a lot of business-owners take for granted, as a matter of course, in many other places. Lack of electricity supply, regardless of how promptly you pay your ridiculous bill, means that many business-owners have to fall back on an inverter or generator.
While it would only seem sensible that a business-owner would make certain sacrifices, an inverter can only carry so many pieces of equipment, for so long. The other option would be generators.
Which brings us to the hydra-headed realities of fuel (petrol and diesel) scarcity. Searching for a fuel station where there appears to be any supply, having to queue for hours and facing the possibility of fuel running out by the time you get to the pump – can take a toll on morale, as well as business. Imagine having to be away from your business, for hours on end or even an entire day, only to return without any fuel.
Then there's internet connectivity, not to mention supply. It was one of the things I found to be the most frustrating business disruption – after electricity supply of course – when I got back to Nigeria. There are a number of 'telecommunications providers', who seem more interested in keeping their customers disconnected than in anything else. The 4G ones don't reach everywhere in the country.
Now, bearing in mind that most of the (civilised) world has gone digital, imagine having to explain to your own customer that you couldn't send them an email or other document they were waiting for, because you had no internet connection, or electricity supply. Think about how much confidence that would inspire, how much business would come your way; or not.
It's very easy to take certain things for granted, because they are so basic, that it would be ridiculous to be expected to cope without them in a business environment. Yet for some, these bare necessities are not so readily available.
Chioma Nnani is an award-winning author, who also contributes to business, lifestyle and literary publications. One of Africa's most fearless storytellers, she is a UK BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) Award nominee, who lives in Lagos, can be reached at @ChiomaNnani and blogs at www.fearlessstoryteller.com
