At 5:30am the yard behind the factory is the busiest place in Independence Layout. Six vans, six drivers, six loaders and a whiteboard covered in addresses. By 6:15 the first van is out of the gate.
Loading in the dark
Each van carries up to 400 bags, or a mix of bags, bottle packs and 19 litre refills. Obinna plans the loads the night before so the heaviest drops are at the back and the first stop is at the door.
Beating the traffic
The Ogui Road and Zik Avenue drops happen before 8, when the roads are clear and the shops are opening. After that the vans head out to Trans Ekulu, Abakpa and Emene.
The call before
Every customer gets a call 30 minutes before. Drivers carry a POS machine and a printed list, and they swap empty 19 litre bottles at the door.
Back by four
The vans are washed every afternoon, and drivers hand in the day's cash and receipts by 5. Then the whiteboard is wiped and the next day's loads go up.
By 6:15 the first van is out of the gate.
