Change!!! Generating Set Sellers Counting Their Losses As Power Supply Improves

 

There is no doubt that the recent improvement in power supply across the country has gladdened the hearts of many Nigerians. But the same cannot be said of Generator sellers in the Federal Capital territory, Abuja and its environs.

A survey carried out by LEADERSHIP Friday in the week revealed that patronage of generating set marketers has hit its all-time low. Abah Adah writes.

The aggressive manner in which the shopkeepers of the commodity rush to entreat anyone who stirs in their direction like a long starved lion that sees its prey coming towards it tells the whole story; that they have not been making sales and have become so desperate.

A generating set shopkeeper, an Ibo-speaking Nigerian, along the Mararaba-Nyanya axis of Abuja, who gave his name as Christian Nnan, said there has been a drop in sales of the commodity for over one year, but it has gone worse in most recent times, attributing the situation to power supply which has recently improved significantly, and the state of penury of the masses.

“Although sales have not been so encouraging since last year, what is being experienced now is worse. Before, customers may come but not all of them end up buying; now you hardly see them, let alone selling, except for some few lucky days. I think the improvement in electric power supply in recent times may be responsible. You should also know that Nigerians are facing the hardest of times now; no money anywhere except among the political elites who often times feast on looted government funds. Do you expect somebody who cannot eat one good meal in a day to come and buy generating set for luxury?” he explained.

The manager of BTC Global Electronic Ltd at Mararaba, a town in neighbouring Nasarawa State bordering Abuja, who spoke anonymously, admitted that now is the worst moment in the annals of his sales. He also attributed the situation to improved power supply and hard times as well.

He said: “We used to sell within the range of ten to thirty-five pieces of generator in a day before, but today you can be in this shop for two days without selling even one. A lot of factors are involved here. Apart from power supply that has improved, majority of Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty and therefore cannot afford the cost of buying and maintaining a generating set, even the common small one popularly called I-pass-my-neighbour. This is even why heinous crimes are being perpetrated here and there by jobless, frustrated youths on a daily basis.”

He wants the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to focus more on improving the economy generally in fulfilment of his promise of better life to Nigerians.

Daniel Okoye also deals in generating set in Garki, Abuja. He also admitted the sharp drop in his sales and attributed same to stark poverty in the land and the recent increase in power supply in and around Abuja.

“I am happy about the improved condition of power in the country. Forget that I am selling Generating sets and it may affect my business as we may be witnessing now. Constant light will bring on board more businesses and the economy will grow. My advice is that the government should not bask in the euphoria of the encomiums being poured on them by the people and stop working for further improvement in the power sector. It is even too early to commend anybody because at this time every year, power supply is always higher. It is when this development continues through the dry season that I can begin to celebrate,” he said.

Even the roadside generator mechanics are also having unprecedented long periods of idle moments due to low patronage. Sunday Ofodun, a generator mechanic in Abuja who was found sleeping in his shop, said there was no work for him to do. Speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday, he affirmed that patronage has been very low.

This is how he put it: “I think the major cause of the situation is lack of money which is biting harder by the day, especially in the last few months. And now many parents are thinking of the school fees of their wards as schools resume for the new session. In such a situation you can be tempted to forgo the luxury of using a generator in your house. I am not ruling out the improved power supply being experienced now as you rightly mentioned; that, no doubt, contributes to the low patronage I am experiencing here.”

Mrs Alice Ameh, popularly known as mama Oche, in the Nyanya area of Abuja is a retail seller of the premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol, alongside kerosene. She also lamented low patronage of the customers who used to buy from her regularly, saying “Unlike before, I hardly sell petrol of 25-litres per day now.” She unequivocally stated that she believed the dwindling fortunes of her small-scale trade is caused by the recent improvement in power supply which has made many to abandon their generators.