Customer Update from The Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria
The following is an update we recieved from our customer the Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (ATNN). ATNN received a term loan in March 2008 to help them purchase stock for their newly built shop and for marketing and promotion.
THE FAIR TRADE CENTRE , NIGERIA – AN UPDATE
CONSTRUCTION
The Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria Retail shop was burnt down in 2004 following a late evening fire that came from a squatter neighboring shop. The building and all ATNN offices and producers products in store and on display were completely destroyed. Unfortunately, this came at a time that neither the building nor any of the products was not cover by any insurance policy. ATNN was therefore left with the burden of suffering the loses most especially the repayment for producers losses which took ATNN over two years to finish up just the repayments.
In its effort to rebuild the offices, ATNN secured a rehabilitation grant from CTM Italy and Hivos in Netherlands in 2006 to the tune of – and – respectively in addition to some support received from local partners and supporters all totaling—– .This was thought to be enough for the expansion and reconstruction of a new office block ( this time a two storey concrete block of office). The ground floor is designed to accommodate the store/ sales area, manager’s office, a wash room and a storage area for products. The shop is now almost four times bigger than the size of the burnt one – former shop.
The upper floor will house the main program offices, a kitchen, a big multipurpose producer training hall and two toilets. The hall is big enough for members meetings and shall be commercial for mini meetings and conferences to generate some income to sustainability of the network.
This reconstruction let to the closure of ATNN business from January 2007 till the end of the first quarter of 2008 when skeletal services were started at the ground floor sale area. Construction work started in January 2007 and lasted through the present time as, the available funding was not just enough to completely finish up a standard constructions of this nature. The finishing has been going on gradually with sales from the shop are being reinvested into the construction periodically and we are currently about 85 % near completion.
But this has slowed down many ATNN activities and progress. The long delay has resulted in re -evaluation of the budget several times because of growing inflation. Be that as it may we were able to make the ground floor partially ready for business in March 2008 to start generating some income for both the producers and the network. At the moment this has been the only source of income fo r the organsiation to maitian its staff and operations.
FURNISHING AND OPERATIONS
We started operations in the ground floor of the shop with a total number of 19 standing metal shelves with 4 compartments each and a reception / payment point desk. These were purchased and redesigned to meet the display need of the shop. Ten more metal and wooden shelves will be acquired to fill up the remaining display area of the shop.
Similarly, office furniture are needed for the managers; office which currently accommodates our program office on the ground floor. We also have a further plan to construct a reception area and desk which shall serve also as purchase payment point.
The current shop has lots of walls for different display of advocacy and decoration materials such posters etc particularly on fair trade for the attention of customers.
The lightening system has been excellent because of the very huge windows which allows in natural lightings. We are however making efforts to complete the electircal lightening system of the entire area. Our longer plan is to install solar energy lightening in the whole shop as part of ATNN contribution to reducing global warming if we can secure some funding support for this. This will make the complex truly environmentally friendly model fair trade centre in Nigeria.
SHOP DISPLAY AND PRODUCTS
The shop has been restocked with very nice products and goods. 10 % of the stocks are sales or return basis for slow moving products , new samples on market test or products that the quality is not very good. ATNN how ever pay affronts for products that have market potentials. We also buy more of market moving products than the other categories. Some part of the ground floor will be dedicated as a storage area for stocking of goods that are in surplus.
More photos here
SALES
The shop was well stocked from the month of September 2008 in anticipation of better Christmas sales. However , just about when the sales were picking up, Jos where the shop is located was engulf in another crises which led to the closure of business areas for a while . This greatly affected ATNN as the patronage and sales which normally characterized the months of December and January in Jos witnessed sales just below 30% as compared to the same period in 2007. This situation as it is now will take yet another long time for security to restore normalcy and confidence of customers to come to Jos and patronize ATNN
CONCLUSION
The recent crises in Jos is a set back to ATNN achieving its goal on schedule in terms of completion of constructions and generating the anticipated sales target for sustainability of operations soon.
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Comments
As a Tourism Officer in Jos, we find ATNN’s shop a very appropraite place to direct tourists to shop for authentic African souvenirs at moderate prices in a friendly environment.This shop has really added value to tourism in Plateau State, Nigeria.
The fair Trade an attractive edifice to the delite of every one. Its a center that will promote Tourism , Culture and research. It deserve every support and patronage as a unique place in West Africa. ATNN needs lots of commendation as its a big challenge to many NGOs in Nigeria.
This is a practical step toward poverty reduction and the promotion of no oil sector In Nigeria . Kudus to ATNN
Wow! what an improvement in ATNN’s buildings and ability to serve it’s producers. When I visited in 2005 they were trying to operate out of the remains of the burnt down office – it was cramped and whilst the shop was appealing it was small. [none the less I bought some great gifts and souvenirs there including a great carved jigsaw-like nativity scene].
This new building looks like a significant step forward! Such a pity that the ethnic violence in Jos has impacted their sales over the Christmas period. I wish them all the best for peace in the region and a speedy business recovery.