Prostitutes cry out of Low patronage due to bad economy.

- A survey conducted by our correspondent in Lagos hotels reveals the price prostitutes charge before and now.
 Operators complained bitterly of high cost of operations and maintenance.
Despite low patronage, many of these business women are unwilling to slash their fee The prevailing downturn in the economy seems to be affecting everything in the country, including the services of prostitutes, who are currently complaining about low patronage from their clients. 

A survey conducted by ZACOHIT.com at hotels in Lagos, reveals the lamentations of people practising the world's oldest profession before and during recession. Some of the ladies who spoke with our correspondent informed that there has been a sharp drop in patronage from their customers as even the ones who come only manage to pay. They are of the view that as prices of goods fluctuates in the market, salaries are being owed and companies laying off their staff, the purchasing power of their customers will be reduced. Some who were not willing to disclose their identity, complained bitterly of how the business has been dull, adding that often times they fight over clients and even to the extent of begging for customers. Checks by ZACOHIT.com revealed that some ladies have since slashed their charge and even offer new services due to low patronage.

              File photo of some prostitutes who were arrested in Lagos.

 A one-night stand used to cost between N3,000 and N5,000 but was increased to N8,000 as a result of recession. But when there are no customers, they go back to the old price. Meanwhile, many are not willing to slash their charges even with the above assertion. This harsh economic has not only affected the prostitutes, even the operators of the hotels lamented the high cost of running the business lately. 

At one of the hotels visited, the manager who pleaded anonymity, informed that the cost of operation and maintenance has doubled compared to previous years. “In previous years, the amount we spend on daily basis is low and by the end of each day, sales are very high. But since the present administration began, the amount has been doubled; it has gone from bad to worse. "The power service has taken a bad shape. The money we spend on diesel alone is high compare to previous years. Our staff’s salaries have been slashed because we manage the little profit we make. Even as we make payment of other bills. Now we spend more and make fewer sales,” our impeccable hotel manager disclosed. A single mother of two identified as Nneoma Anunobi but popularly called Miss Kem, informed that since the recession period, it has not been business as usual. According to her: “Since there was a recess in the economy, the business has experienced a shake in activities as customers approach has been reduced. And even the ones, who come to seek for our services, lament and even deny themselves the pleasure and end up leaving the motel. So things have been difficult for us lately, because the cost of things we use to make us beautiful is now high and this made us increase our price per night. "You know this hotel is a big hotel for the average class but the profit margin before now and now has reduced." Hotel operators also expressed their frustration at the turn of events. 
Another powerful worker in one of the hotels identified simply as Nkiru but fondly called Lady Slim explained to ZACOHIT.com that the business has been profitable for her despite the economic downturn. “When it is evening, some guys come with their friends, while other night crawlers do come with their babes; so also the ladies. Then some ladies who come alone, opt for drinks and keep themselves busy either with their cigarette or look for guys that are alone then business begins from there. “Before now, our customer varies, you see some that come and want us to go out with them and you see some that come and seek for our company to pass a night out with them; especially the ones that are married and their wives are not around. 
Our charges before now are influenced by the customers’ physical possession, gadgets and even looks. The one with big cars cannot be the same with the ones without a car. And some only come, buy drinks and food for us. then give us little change. "Also, we charge base on the services we are to render. A night before is between N3,000- N8,000, but now it is from N10,000 upwards. While going out of the hotel with a client or offering home service will be higher and ranges from N30,000 upwards per day or per night. The people who call for this are usually the high class. As sometimes we go to parties, special occasions or clubs with them. So I would say depending on the type of customers, we are not really discouraged despite the economic downfall,” she explained. Moyo Kayode who was nicknamed 'Mokky', said some single mothers engage in this profession so as to take good care of their children. According to her, prostitution is a dirty business but still remains their only means of survival and livelihood. She explained: “Some of the ladies who are into this business do it for the money alone and not for the fun of it.
 Some are single mothers while others are housewives whose husbands are financially handicapped. They are here just to make money and take care of their children needs, send them to good schools and also do not want to engage in monthly jobs which might not sustain them. "They really do not care about the danger that comes afterwards. They just want to make money and go. Giving themselves a target, once they achieve their aim, they leave.” Ese, one of the ladies of the night, narrates her journey into the business and how it has been risky at the same time profitable despite the economic condition Nigeria is posed with. “I am the first child of five children. My parents still struggle to take care of my siblings. But when I sat down and looked for a means of surviving in this hard time as a student, this was the only option I had. "First, I started as a sales attendant then moved onto the level I am in. Right now, my fee is not really high, but I would say there is a good side to this business. The gifts I receive from old clients and good new ones who approach me, are much more than the money I make weekly.
 For the ladies of the night, money is pretty difficult to come by these days. “Truth is the money is not really huge compared to the medical issues that come from the job. The health challenges are severe.
 But we also pray to God and his grace sustains some of us. Some ladies survive it; some are used for rituals, some get to be infected with strange illness. But I would say there is no profession without its hazard. We only pray for better days with a healthy life to live it. “I have been surviving for almost three years. But I would say it has been a tough journey I embarked on and I hope to leave when I am done with my studies,” she stated quite emotionally. Cynthia, another lady who listed some of her challenges to NAIJ.com noted that even the prostitutes often fight over clients who manage to patronize them. The outspoken lady offered: “Often times we dance all night and drink. It has been really challenging for us. As sometimes, they steal our possessions while delivering our services, in the hotel and outside. Since some of us have been a victim of the past evil acts by some bad clients, what we do is whenever we want to go out with our clients, we do drop our cash, gadgets, and other expensive possessions with the staffs of the hotel and give them money and when we return we collect it. "Because it is safer, as not all clients really come to pay us after service, some come to steal from us. So we have learnt our lesson. 

Often times, when there are no customers, the ones who manage to patronize us, end up not doing so, because some of us do fight over clients. “Moreso, some of the guys engage in evil vices like the selling of Indian hemp and smoking it as well. They even fight themselves sometimes. As we ladies around them cannot really tell the cause of their fight. But we are sure it is the aftermath of the business transactions. When this happens, they end up being chased out by the manager or by police officials on duty." She added that recession does not really affect their profession but only affects their spending culture. “We are not really affected by the recession but we only cut down cost, so as to save for tomorrow. It is really a risky job I must confess. Some ladies have sold their heart out in this profession and do not really belief in anything good life has to offer. "While other ladies make it out of this profession by getting married to good men, traveling out of the shores of the country. Some end up starting up a good business. But others do not make it to the end.” As at the time of filling this report, many of them were seen loitering without patronage.