13th June, 2014
Some dealers in electronics in Bayelsa capital, Yenagoa, have hailed the increase in demand for decoders, television sets and antennas as the 2014 World Cup kicks off on Thursday.
The World Cup holds between June 12 and July 13 in Brazil with Nigeria’s Super Eagles among the 32 nations featuring.
Investigations at some sales outfits on Thursday in Yenagoa revealed that decoders of various kinds were in high demand.
The dealers in the equipment explained that it was apparently because the matches would be telecast by cable television networks like Startimes, Qsat and DSTV.
However, while television sets and generators sets are generally patronised, the price of many other electronic items, especially decoders remained normal.
Pere Ebimowei, an electronics dealer, who sells decoders and dishes, antennas and cable wires, said he had sold an appreciable number of decoders daily.
He said that the World Cup had been a good development as it stimulated business.
“We did not increase prices of our products; we sell at normal prices even though decoders are of different qualities; some of them ranged from N13,500 to N15,000 per set.
“There are big and small dishes; we have decoders like Startimes, DSTV, Qsat and so on, the prices differ depending on the brand and quality.
“It is the Qsat decoders that are mainly in hot demand in Yenagoa.
“This is because there are provisions in the set for mobile telephone Sim cards in them to gain access to several satellite channels.
“Many people have been coming for local antennas and cable wires; those who want to re-fit their faulty cables, purchase wires to fix their receivers,” Ebimowei said.
Jude Nwoye, a television and generator seller, said that the patronage was just normal daily business.
“The good thing is that I have also purchased a new decoder for myself because I am a football fan,” Nwoye said.
An electrician, Kelechi Uwazie, who also installs cable TVs, said he now charged N5,000 as against between N3,000 and N4,000 before the build up to World Cup.
“We are experiencing a boom in business this season.”
Vincent Dieprieye, a Viewing Centre Operator, said he re-built his centre in order to attract more fans.
He described football as “good business” anywhere in the world.
“I have put this place in good shape to enable me get more customers during the season; this is the way to attract sports enthusiasts to my centre,” Dieprieye said.