Assessment of Socio-Economic Effects of Epileptic Electricity Supply in Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria enjoyed a relatively regular electricity supply in the 1970s and 1980s which keeps the textiles and other businesses and households in Kaduna state alive but now it is in a state of comatose with epileptic nature as its characteristics despite the privatization of the sub-sector. Therefore, the study investigates the socioeconomic effects of the power supply in Igabi Local Government Area between 2015 and 2020. The study used Structural Functionalism as its theoretical framework hence, 14 stakeholders were purposively selected comprising 4 Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Staff, 4 househlods,4 small and medium scale business owners and 2 farmers were interviewed,440 questionnaires were distributed among the respondents but 400 were at the end analysed. The study found that power was erratic in the area during the period but people still patronize the electricity distributor, businesses folded up leading to the increase in the level of unemployment and insecurity such as banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery and political thuggery, hence the study recommended that more private distributors should be allowed to invest in the sub-sector, all customers should be metered, there is a need to invest in the infrastructure as most of them are in a dilapidated state, end insecurity among other recommendations.