THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GSM VILLAGE

GSM Village is one of the most popular places in Abuja. Hardly any resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who does not know the village , Technology has become the salt of the 21st century world. Smart phones, laptops, tablets and other internet-enabled devices have continued to flood the Nigerian market . Residents of Abuja and environment visit the market on daily basis, either on referral or otherwise, to get solution to whatever problem they might have with their devices. Some of the products shifted from developed countries are perceived to be low in standard, and that could account for its operational faults and poor durability.

The GSM Village is located at Wuse Zone 1 is always bubbling with activities. The market is not for phones alone, but also for laptops, tablets and other electronic devices. It has also justified its status as the melting pot for electronic devices in Abuja, Shop owners and repairers have displayed high sense of creativity and ingenuity. Some persons in the market have the capacity to turn around old and abandoned devices. It is also in the market that a customer could buy, sell, swap or repair phones, laptop or other devices irrespective of brand and model.  However, it is not all that glitters could be taken as gold in the market, A lot of sharp practices are taking place in the market. For instance, unwise and untutored first time visitors to the market could be forced to fall “mugu” in the hands of errand boys that could package themselves well and pretend to be shop owners. They could easily waylay suspected first time visitors from the entrance gate and claim to be the owner of a shop, only to dupe the customer afterwards. The market leaders always advised customers to beware of such criminally minded individuals pretending to own shops even when they are errand boys. While the market serves as a place of solution for phone and other device users, there are unconfirmed claims that criminal activities abound in the market. There is even claim that illicit drug transactions are booming in the village.  “We hear stories of people engaging in drug and other criminal activities here. The leadership of our association has continued to warn and punish anybody found wanting. I have never seen anybody here with drug,” a man who identified himself as Emeka told Daily Sun: “You are in my shop, you see the quantum of business taking place. I import genuine phones, laptops and other devices. I supply to many people, so there cannot be any reason for people like me to indulge in such untoward business. You can only find it around those who have nothing doing. But I think GSM Village is run professionally.” He was, however, worried that the market has become saturated with people with questionable character. He lauded the market managers for considering stronger measures that would discourage criminals from gaining access into the market. 

BY AJAYI OLUWASEUN.C