Character and Problem Analysis of Sachet Water Hawkers in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hawking is a common practice which hampers urban dignity. The study assessed “who”, “why”, “where”, and “when” the hawkers of sachet water carry out their business; in view of examining the associated physiological and psychological effects of their operations. 32 questionnaires were administered randomly to 32 sachet water hawkers. Oral interviews, direct observation and recording as well as series of secondary data sourced from relevant literature were used to buttress the data obtained via questionnaire administration. The research findings showed hawking of sachet water is most prominent along Obafemi Awolowo way. The hawkers are composed of male (24%) and female (76%), literate (58%) and illiterate (42%), hawking from morning till late in the evening. Using ANOVA with F-statistic computed as 0.09 at 0.05 alpha-level, it was ascertained there is no significant difference in the problems resulting from hawking sachet water in the 11 locations (clusters) sampled. This affirms the proposition that the mode of operation and disposal of the water sachets is the same in all parts of Ikeja. Furthermore, pragmatic measures were laid down in order to discontinue the ills associated with hawking of sachet water in the study area.