MY EXPERIENCE WITH ORE-BENIN ROAD SIDE MECHANICS YESTERDAY. I was on my way to the East with my family in one of my vehicles and was having a smooth journey thank God for the near excellent conditions of the roads from Lagos down to my Villa in Anambra state. It was just after the infamous Benin River when a motor biker plying the wrong side of the expressway, was pointing at the front of my car gesticulating that something was wrong with the vehicle. As I was slowing down to clear, one albino sitting in the front seat of an ANIDS innoson bus that was following us behind started signalling me to move forward and follow them. Just as I was contemplating what to do, lo and behold there was a mechanic workshop about fifty meters away. So in the confusion of wondering why the albino was signalling me to move on and curiosity of finding out what was it that was wrong with my vehicle, I decided to stop and have the mechanics take a look. Just as I was clearing out of the road, one of the mechanic, a Yoruba man in his middle thirties, ran towards my vehicle pointing and exclaiming that my tyre was about to pull out. Before I could come down from the vehicle, he was standing very close to my Right front tyre and when I finally alighted from the vehicle, he showed me my Right front tyre which was oozing out what appeared like a copious amount of condemned oil. At that point, another Yoruba mechanic about the same age came out of the workshop and both of them thanked God on my behalf that the tyre did not pull out and killed my whole family. In our ignorance, my wife and I joined them in thanking God. So what could have been wrong with the vehicle? I asked the mechanics, and one of them answered that the pin holding the tip of the driving shaft must have fallen off and needs to be put back and I will continue on my journey. They encouraged me to drive into their workshop so they will have it fixed for me. I obeyed them and one of them speedily removed the right front tyre while I was standing there watching with keen interest. It turned out the pin they talked about was intact and the oils origin could not be easily ascertained, so they asked me to go and turn the steering to one side and before I could come down, they claimed they have finally seen what the problem was and showed me some pieces of grease covered broken driving metal/hub claiming they removed it from my driving shaft and that I need to change it. I became confused because for a driving shaft to have that kind of serious mechanical fault, it must show some signs in the way of instability of the vehicle but this was a vehicle that was driving like a bird without any form of noise whatsoever. I expressed that concern but they assured me that sometimes it happens that way. My second worry was that the vehicle is not a common one and the spare parts will be difficult to get in that bush area. But they told me that the parts will be available and all I needed to do is call one phone number they gave to me and the guy will supply it. As I was making the call, they drew my attention to the second front tyre which suddenly started leaking oil too, and the mechanic went under the vehicle and brought out a similar assemblage of broken metal. So I asked the supplier for 2 of the driving shafts. As expected, the guy at the other end of the line claimed it is scarce but he can provide them within the hour if I was willing to pay #45000each for the two shafts. I thought to my self that this is something that ordinarily will not cost more than #5000each. So in annoyance, I decided to have the vehicle towed to Benin where I will have it repaired. But one of the mechanics now told me that he can get it for me at the cost of #15000each and charge me #1500workmanship making everything #31500grand total. So I agreed and gave them transport money for one of them to go and get the spare parts. But Within 3minutes he is back with the shafts and get to work with me watching as usual. He was holding a very long screw driver which he claimed he was going to use to bar part of the shaft for the new one to be entered. And I was thinking to myself, if what was holding the tyre could be removed that easily by just shifting it with a screwdriver, then no body is safe on the high way. This was the first time it occurred to me that these people are 419ners and to confirm my suspicion, they again told me to enter inside the vehicle to put the gear in Neutral. I asked one of them to do it while I watch what was going on but he refused claiming it was my duty to do it. So I entered and pretended to have put the gear in neutral and came out immediately and they said the shaft has been put in a period of time not more than 2minutes. I said okay fine show me the old one and he said it has melted away and disappeared. At this juncture, my suspicion was confirmed and I told them to remove their spare parts again and show me before putting it back and this time around Im standing there watching. One of them now sensed that I was unto them and he got angry and told the other one to couple the motor back so I will pay for the one they did and leave their workshop. I now pretended I was calling a police man from Benin on the phone to come there and have them arrested. And they both now joined hands in pleading with me to go and leave them in peace. Long story short, I left and entered Benin mainland to make use of a service stations pit to have whatever could have been wrong rectified. Finally, I found a Total filing station and entered the service part of the station and narrated my story to the technician there and the first thing he said to me was that I dodged a bullet because not only would they have duped me of my money, they would have driven away with my vehicle while claiming to test drive it following their purported repairs. It now came to me why the albino in ANIDS bus was beckoning me to drive away. He must have known their antics. While you travel this easter period or any other time, beware of Shagamu-ore-benin exp way mechanics. If you see anybody pointing at your vehicle when it was obvious that your vehicle was in order, make use of your God given sense to guard against fraudsters. They are too organised these days. Imagine? The first motor biker was the same person I called on the phone, as I stopped, the first mechanics that rushed to my vehicle, sprinkled some condemned oil to my tyre rim and the pieces of broken metal they showed me was brought out of grease cup they were holding and the driving shaft they purportedly put for me was put back into their bags while I was busy turning the steering and changing the gear for them.. Carefulness and attention to details are two things that will save you from these people. Happy Easter every one.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 18:28:58 +0000
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