Generator Sales Boom As W/Cup Begins

Generator dealers in Nigeria, especially, Asaba are enjoying an unusual boom due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup which began on Friday in South Africa.

Some of the dealers said that they had recorded more than a 50 per cent increase in sales in the last one week.

They attributed the increase in sales to the erratic power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which residents did not want to depend on during the Mundial.

“We have recorded an increase in our generator sales by as much as 50 per cent in the last one week,” a dealer, Mr Anthony Ifebilo said.

According to him, people have been rushing to buy generators, especially the small sizes popularly known as “I better pass my neighbour.’’

Mr Philip Anene confirmed Ifebilo’s comments saying, “We are enjoying tremendous sales in the last one week.

“This showed that Nigerians really have value for football and it also goes to show that PHCN performance is not encouraging at all.’’

In spite of the increase in the sales of generators, the prices have remained stable.

Mr Uzoma Ezemba, said that though there had been an increase in the sale of generators, the prices had remained stable.

“For example, Blue Tiger brand that has been selling for N12,500 still sells for the same amount and Tiger TM which price is N14,000 has also not changed,” he said.

Some residents of Asaba said that they had been sourcing for money to buy generators, so as not to miss any of the World Cup matches.

Mr Moses Umukoro, a civil servant said: “I don’t want to rely on power from PHCN during this period; they have not been encouraging in the last two months in Asaba.’’

Mr George Alawe, another resident, said, “I am buying this generator because I want to watch all the matches.’’