From allAfrica

Nasarawa State produces most of the charcoal used in Abuja, the nation’s capital and other neighboring states. How is this common household product made is what Weekly Trust has explored in the furnace-world of charcoal making in Nasarawa State.

Kokona Local Government Area is home to many charcoal producers in Nasarawa State and some villages in Karu. As one drives from Akwanga to Kokona, assorted bags of charcoal are displayed by the roadsides to attract buyers. This is the same scenario along Keffi-Jos road.

Tudun Mangoro is a major market as hundreds of bags of charcoal are sold to buyers along Keffi-Jos road. The first impression one gets is that these charcoals are made in this area. But alas, they are made deep inside the jungle.

Through rough feeder road destroyed by rain, one could see tick forests with typical features of Sudan savanna vegetations.

At the spot where charcoal is made, there was a heap of sand with three holes, churning out smoke. The owner is Magaji Bala. Pointing at a heap of charcoal, he said “I have just extracted this one now.”

Bala said charcoal making is very difficult because of the excessive heat, adding that “I must take milk today otherwise I won’t feel comfortable.”

Making charcoal starts with piling logs of wood. The maker may choose to either use completely dry wood or fresh ones. Where one chooses to use fresh woods, he or she must put dry ones in between them. No matter the size of the fresh logs, the furnace inside the heap of sand will consume it.

Read more at allAfrica.