POWER SUPPLY AND USE IN GYEL DISTRICT JOS
ABSTRACT
The importance of power supply to any economy cannot be overemphasized. It the pivot on which the economic, industrial and technological development of any nation is hinged upon. This study was carried out to assess the state of power supply and use in Gyel District of Jos- South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Four communities were selected to constitute the sample population using the simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection. 120 copies of one questionnaire were administered on 30 respondents each drawn from the four sampled communities. Descriptive statistical technique was used in data presentation which involved the use of simple percentage tables, bar graphs and charts while analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for data analysis. The statistical test showed a significant variation in the duration of electricity supply in the study area. The study found that power supply in was inadequate, ineffective and replete with a number of problems such as overloading of transformers, illegal connection and use of obsolete equipment to mention a few. The study further made recommendations on how to tackle the problems experienced, ways to improve power supply in the study area and suggested the need for further research in other aspects pertaining to power supply and use in the study area that were covered by this study.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Â Â Â Â Â BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Power supply is very important to the social, economic and technological development of any nation. All aspects of the life of the citizenry is affected by power supply, ranging from keeping a clean home to running multinational companies. Without adequate power supply, businesses, homes and the society at large cannot function to their full capacity. One of the key indices for measuring the development status of any country is the state of power supply. This is because the power sector is the real engine that drives a nation’s economic growth and development. Indeed, the role which reliable and sustainable power supply plays in the socio- economic development and technological advancement of a nation cannot be underestimated. This is because inadequate power supply in an economy is detrimental to the overall productivity of small, medium and large scale industries.
Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world and despite its huge natural resources it is still one of the poorest countries in the world with an estimated GDP of 2162 dollars (Iwayemi, 2008). Over the years, the importance of attaining a regular and steady power supply has been at the center of developmental debate in Nigeria. Sambo (2008) has traced the history of electricity in Nigeria to 1896 when electricity was first introduced in Lagos, 15 years after its introduction in England. He observed that despite the fact that the emergence of electricity in Nigeria is over a century; its development has been at a slow rate. Sambo further observed that for over 20 years prior to 1999, the power sector did not witness substantial investment in infrastructural development. There were no new investments and existing ones were in a deplorable state. In 2001, generation went down to an average of about 1750MW, as compared to a load demand of 6000MW. According to the same author, only nineteen out of the seventy- nine installed generating were in operation.
