Lantern Sellers Blame Poor Sales On Rechargeable Lamps

The influx of rechargeable lamps in Port Harcourt market has forced a drop in the sale of Kerosene lantern.
An investigation carried out by our correspondent across some major markets in the city indicated that traders were at a loss on how to sell off their stock of lantern.
According to Nonso Jeremiah, who deals on Kerosene stoves, lanterns amongst other items at the ultra-modern mile one market in Port Harcourt, he was been unable to sell a single lantern “for more than six months”, due to the influx of rechargeable lamps into the markets.
He said the trend was capable of putting kerosene lantern dealers out of business.
For Charles Uzo, a lantern repairer at Mile three market, “the fortunes of my business was going down each day.”
He said people no longer bring their faulty lanterns for repairs.
He explained that the development may not be unconnected with the emergence of rechargeable lamps and torch lights.
Further investigations indicated that those mostly involved in the rechargeable lamps trade were the Hausa petty traders or “abokis”.
A hawker of the items, Mohammed Nasiru who spoke to our Correspondent said he collects them from an Alhaji whom he makes returns to after making his sales.
It could e recalled that the Minister for Petroleum resources, Dezieni Allison-Madueke had announced recently that the federal government was plans to partner with Total E&P for the replacement of lanterns, kerosene stoves and candles among others with gas powered appliances, in 2015.
According to her the programme which would be done under PPP was intended to reduce hydro carbon emission.