BANK STAFF AND TARGET EHN
My work starts every day with waking up at 5 a.m. every day to prepare for work. I have to leave early to beat the city's crazy traffic. On getting to the office, l logged in and checked my schedule for the day. I'm your regular delivery guy, doing 5-15 deliveries every day with not many difficulties apart from the normal traffic jams we usually witness on the road and the attendant war of words amongst motorists.
On that particular day, I was booked to deliver a parcel to one Mr. X, it was as if the heavens knew what I was going to pass through that day because the weather was unfriendly. The skies were full of grey clouds and the air was cool and damp. The sound of raindrops tapping against windows and roofs fills the air. The trees are drenched with water, their leaves and branches heavy with droplets. The streets and sidewalks become shiny and reflective, mirroring the world around them. I put on my raincoat, straddle my bike and hit the street. Immediately, the cold air hit my face sending shivers down my skin, for the umpteenth time I wish I could stay indoors, listening to the rhythmic sound of the rain and enjoying the cosy comforts of my bed but hey, I have deliveries waiting. Not minding the I might face, I headed straight to X's house but not after placing a call across to confirm his availability.
On getting to the entrance of their estate, I was flagged down by the security manning the gate. After about 15 minutes interrogation that felt like they were interrogating a thief, I was finally allowed to go inside. I heaved a sigh of relief praying that I won't encounter any other problem on the way. I was finally able to locate the house of Mr X. It was a semi-detached bungalow and from the looks of it, you will know that the owner must be doing well. I rang the bell and while waiting took a look at the surroundings. I can imagine myself and my family in one of the houses probably watching television or doing those things rich folks do. I smiled inwardly at those pleasant thoughts. I was brought back to reality by the sound of an angry motorist blaring his horns at the poor security man to open his gate (maybe he was running late for work). I had almost forgotten that I was still under the rain and Mr. X had yet to open his gate. I angrily pressed the bell again, wondering if it was functioning at all. I was about to press it for the third time when a man opened the gate. Clearly, he was not happy to see me because I could see the scowl on his face. "How can I help you ?" he barked. I was a little lost, did I not call this dude to tell him I was on my way, did the security agent not put a call across to ascertain if he was expecting a despatch rider? All these questions raced through my mind as I fumbled with the thought that maybe I had come to the wrong house. Honestly, I've made a couple of such mistakes before and I can't believe that I've made another such mistake again. "Yes, young man what do you want?" He bellowed again. "I am a delivery guy, I thought this was the house I was supposed to make delivery to" I muttered. "Yes you are at the right house, can I now have my parcel," he said. I gave him an incredible look, he knew all the while I was the delivery guy, so why was he making me doubt myself? I quickly fished out his parcel and proceeded to give him the account he was supposed to pay to. I was barely able to finish what I was saying before he started rattling on about not making any transfer to another bank apart from the bank he uses, I proceeded to educate him about our company policy on pay-on delivery but he quickly cut me off saying I could go with the parcel if I wanted, and that he would not make any payment unless the bank was his bank. He told me he could open an account for me there and pay the money to my new account to activate it. I told him to hold on while I called my supervisor. After explaining the situation to him, he agreed that I should open the account( as if we had a choice, imagine the amount of fuel I have spent while coming here and going back again without achieving anything).
Anyway, it turns out that he was a contract staff of the bank who was given a target to get a certain number of clients to open an account with the bank. Do I blame him, no I don't. This is Nigeria, everybody is trying hard to stay afloat.
Life of a Naija delivery guy.