Impact of Privatization of Electricity Supply on Security and Welfare of People in Wukari Town, Nigeria.

Impact of Privatization of Electricity Supply on Security and Welfare of People in Wukari Town

Abstract

Privatization as the sales of government own enterprises to private companies focuses on efficiency in service delivery and 
reduction in tariff, however, this aim of privatization is doubtful in the privatization of electricity in Nigeria. This paper 
examines ‘privatization of electricity in Nigeria with focus on its implication for security and welfare”. The study employed 
an exploratory research design through interviews. The interviews were built around various themes including electricity 
tariffs, the preferred metering system, quality of service delivery, impact on employment, and the desired private 
investment in the electricity sector. Qualitative content was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that: End-users 
of electricity still experience high electricity tariffs and payment for services not enjoyed in addition to flat-rate billing 
system; secondly, no much investment has been made by the private owner that bought PHCN as there is still inadequate 
supply and distribution of electricity. The study recommends that: The Nigerian Government should start the process of a 
constitutional amendment that will transfer legislation on the power sector (electricity) from exclusive legislative list to 
concurrent legislative list, with the clause that, both the government and the private sector have the power to generate, 
transmit and distribute electricity with the view to enhancing competition in the sector; Secondly, Federal Government of 
Nigeria should withdraw Power Holding Company of Nigeria from the current owners and sell the same to the various states, 
hence every state should inherit electricity infrastructure in their domain.