I took up street sweeping because I hate laziness, says 65-year-old widow

She may not be the oldest among the many women engaged to sweep the major streets in Awka, but her doggedness and thoroughness mixed with dedication to duty distinguish her from her peers, including those younger than her.

Anyone driving or walking past Paul’s University/Union Bank area, along the popular Zik Avenue where she works, cannot but be attracted to her simply because of her unique style of sweeping.

She is not just strong and agile in sweeping, but also focused such that no form of distraction, not even the horn or siren from vehicles can stop her from concentrating in her cherished job.

Ordinarily, her age could have been enough excuse for her not to have been engaged in the energy sapping job, but her physical fitness and disposition have spurred her on.

Speaking with Women in Business, the widow said she took up the job primarily to avoid staying idle and also to use the allowance to augment the profit she gets from her fruit business.

She, however, said she was almost denied the job when she indicated interest due to her age, but said they were eventually convinced after much persistence.

“When I finally got the job, I asked them to place me on the 6am - 4pm section but they refused and put me under the 2-hour arrangement, probably due to my age.

“I still want to partake in the 10-hour slot because the money they pay me during the 6-8am session is not enough for me.”

Chinwuba, mother of four, said she resumes work as early as 5.45am, to commence work and before the 8am closing time, she was already done with the portion of the road assigned to her.

She, however, said she leaves for home to get her fruits ready for sale in the market as soon as she is done with her primary assignment of sweeping.

“As soon as I am done with the sweeping, I retire home and carry my fruits to the market for sale.

“I was into the business before I got this job and have to continue with it to enable me take care of my family having lost my husband 13 years ago.”

On the challenges she encounters in the course of her job, Elizabeth said she has no challenges apart from the risks of vehicular movement the job exposes her to.

“There was a day I was hit by a KeKe while the driver was trying to manoeuvre his way. I sustained a minor injury on my hand,” she added.

“The other day I came to work and I saw a street light knocked down within the area I sweep every day. What came to my mind is: who knows what could have happened if it were during my working period?”

She appealed to motorists to always factor in pedestrians while driving so as not to endanger their lives and that of other road users.