EFFECT OF PRIVATIZATION OF POWER INDUSTRY ON NIGERIAN ECONOMY: A CASE OF KADUNA DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

Abstract

The study analysed the effect of privatization of the power industry on Nigeria’s Economy. A case of Kaduna Distribution. A simple random technique was applied to select a sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Data were collected using questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was applied for data analysis. The result show that 9% of the respondents had Ph.D. /M.Sc., 43% of the respondents had B.Sc./HND and 27% of the respondents had SSCE. However, 69% of the respondents agreed with the quality of power supply after privatization. The result also shows that 48% of the respondents disagree that after privatization they hardly get supply in a day that is over twelve (12) hours in a day. Furthermore, 50% of the respondents disagreed that they frequently enjoy power supply of over two (2) weeks after privatization. The also reveals that 46% of the respondents agree that the Disco supplies efficient power supply. The result shows that 45% of the respondents agreed that Kaduna Electric is better than power holding company. The result of the study revealed that privatization of Kaduna Disco has led to improved quality of power supply, but it has neither positively affected the ease of payment nor resulted in friendly customer services. However, it appears that privatization of Nigeria’s power sector may not be an end in its self. It is probably a means to reaching a desired end. Therefore, efficiency in power supply, ease of payment and customer friendly services lies at the heart of good governance, transparency and accountability, and overall national interest.