In Kano, mobile welding biz flourishes amidst COVID-19

Mobile welding workshop is a new business venture that is fast growing in Kano. As new buildings and other structures are springing up in areas, technical works are needed to ensure such structures are fixed and maintained.

Unlike before when you have to remove a broken door or window and move in search of welders to get them fixed, the welding business is becoming more modern; with just a phone call and directions, these mobile welders will be at your door step to provide such services at ease.

These sets of welders are mostly youths who fabricate vans and other small cars to carry their equipment to a place of need.

The specially constructed vehicles carry fixed generating sets for power supply and welding machines aside other working tools. It is just simply a mobile workshop!

Malam Aliyu Mohammed, who runs Abaje Welder firm said, “With just a vehicle five years ago, we now have six. This is to show you that the business is good “What makes us unique is that our services are apt and on the go. The hassle of removing the whole broken item and ferrying to a welding point is gone; we come and do it on the spot and leave.”

The epileptic power issue is what they are trying to dodge. “Sometimes there is the trouble of no power. So we come with our generating sets and everything and get your issues addressed.”

The good news is that the mobile welders said they could earn more than those at stationed workshops.Danladi Ibrahim of SG Gadan Welder said “What makes us unique is our ability to go into the remotest places that have no power supply and we get things done excellently.”

But they need the government’s support. “One will be at a site and your phone keeps ringing. This business is good for people to invest more in it and expand,” Ibrahim said.

Laminu Bello said, “I worked before at a stationed workshop, every day waiting for work to come and the few that came in could not go round.”

For Alhaji Baba, “mobile welding has come to stay with us because the venture is unique and serves as an avenue for employment for youths. Daily Trust gathered that the COVID-19 has not disrupted their businesses in any way.

However for stationed welders, this is a bad omen.Malam Hassan said, “I am amazed with what this young generation has done to improve or otherwise say they are trying to put us out of business.”