You Cannot Survive With The N19,800 Monthly Allowance: The Agony Of The NYSC Chapter 2 [Diary Of A Serving NYSC Pengician]
To make use of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is like a 'Tug of war' in this Village. Umuchoko in Amaeke Community, Inyishi in Ikeduru local government area of IMO State has no ATM point. The closest was 'Amaraku roundabout: First Bank' which is N300 to and fro.
Don't miss: Killing the Pride in Me [Diary of a Serving NYSC Pengician] http://pengician.com/2016/12/killing-the-pride-in-me-diary-of-a-serving-nysc-pengician/# Left home with my very last cash to Amaraku at 1.09pm Sunday, 18th December, 2016 to make withdrawal to keep body, soul and spirit together. Reaching there, the ATM was out of cash. The security man directed me to 'Orji' the closest ATM point. The only cash that was with me was just ten naira (N10).
I was totally stranded like a self confessed Wizard that has been chased out of his community. Don't miss: 80 Interesting Facts about SIR A-ONE http://pengician.com/2016/05/80-interesting-facts-about-sir-a-one/
The more I tried to explain to Taxi and Bus Drivers to assist me down there to withdraw and pay them was just like forcing a cable wire down the eye of a needle. I went to explain to one Motorcycle rider who said he was going to charge me a thousand five hundred naira (N1,500) for the distance and his time he will be spending while I queue up at the ATM point. A very heartless Okada man. I stood for over 45 minutes until I went to one old man.
He is a driver. His daily bread is from his Taxi as he told me. After explaining to him, he accepted for me to board the vehicle with the charge of three hundred naira (His Fair & Time). While in the taxi, I noticed one married woman who was gazing at my wretched face from the rare mirror. She asked me "Are you a corper (sic)?" "Yes." I quickly pushed the reply without a waste of time. She might have asked because of the NYSC Cap. She went further "I have been in your shoes 8 years ago in Rivers State.
Don't worry I will pay for you." The smile that greeted my face immediately she inserted a full stop to what she was saying was like when Mary was told in the Bible of Elizabeth's pregnancy. At Orji, the ATM was not functional. She asked me to follow the taxi to 'Wethedral Junction' in Owerri main town. I did with joy since she has paid for the fair. I did my withdrawal at Zenith Bank ATM, where ECO Bank did a cash somersault on me.
I had to leave N989 on the account. They had earlier on debited me of N210 without my knowledge. In an atmosphere of anger, I went to 'Douglas junction' where I bought pots, stove and carpet. 19.12.2016
After excessive thinking, a friend of mine 'Buchi Prince' called to know my welfare. Immediately after the call, he sent me a thousand naira (N1,000) recharge card. I loaded and was able to come online after 3 good days of going offline.
He had earlier on in camp sent me seven hundred and fifty naira (N750) Mtn card which took me almost throughout the camp. From my three (3) days in this community 'Umuchoko, Amaeke, Inyishi' in Ikeduru local government area of IMO state I discovered they charged Youth Corps very high in almost everything. I now devised a tactics.
Whenever am going out to buy anything, I don't flaunt my NYSC ID, Shoes, Khaki, Cap and anything that will identify Me as a Youth Corps member. A Youth Corp is your Friend. Don't overcharge him/her. [Diary of a Serving NYSC Pengician]