EFFECTS OF VANDALIZATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
(A CASE STUDY OF ENUGU ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OF NIGERIA (EEDC) INSTALLATIONS, ABA URBAN CENTRE)
ABSTRACT
The topic of this study is on “Effect of Vandalization of Public Utilities on National Development in Nigeria: A case study of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Installations in Enugu Urban Centres”. The researcher were motivated to research on this topic due to the increase in vandalization of electricity installations such as transformers, cables and meters with its associated effects on the business activities in the areas. The researcher in conducting the research work made use of both primary and secondary sources of data with the structured questionnaire as the major instrument used. The population for the study is 717,291 people of Enugu Urban Centres, while the sample size is 278. The stratified random sampling techniques was used in selecting the sample for the study, while the data collected were presented and analyzed using frequency, percentage and table. The findings revealed that the EEDC installations in Enugu urban centres are vandalized to a high extent, and the factors contributing to it include lack of proper enlightenment, improper location of facilities, lack of monitoring by government and people's attitude towards public properties. The study also identified killing of vandals and epileptic power supply as some of the negative implications of vandalization. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended for proper public enlightenment on the importance of these installations, and proper monitoring system to secure them from the vandals. Finally, there is need to strengthen the legal and judicial system of law enforcement for prosecuting the vandals to serve as a deterrent to future vandals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background and Need for the Study    
1.2    Statement of the Problem    
1.3    Objectives of the Study    
1.4    Theoretical Foundation of the Study    
1.5    Research Questions    
1.6    Significance of the Study    
1.7    Scope of the Study    
1.8    Limitations of the Study    
1.9    Definition of Terms and Analysis    
References    
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1    The Concept of Public Utility    
2.2    Meaning of Vandalization of Public Utilities    
2.3    Factors Responsible for the Vandalization    
of   EEDC Equipment    
2.4    Effects of Vandalization    
2.5    Strategies to Mitigate and Reduce Vandalization
of Public Utilities    
References    
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1    Research Method and Design    
3.2    Sources of Data    
3.2.1    Primary Source of Data    
3.2.2    Secondary Source of Data    
3.3    Location of the Study    
3.4    Population of the Study    
3.5    Sample Size and Sample Technique    
3.5.1 Sampling Technique    
3.6    Instrumentation    
3.7    Validity of the Instrument    
3.8    Reliability of the Instrument    
3.9    Method of Data Collection    
3.10 Instrument Distribution and Return Rate    
References    
CHAPTER FOUR:  PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Research Question I    
Research Question II    
Research Question III    
Research Question IV    
CHAPTER FIVE:        FINDINGS,   RECOMMENDATIONS   AND CONCLUSION
5.1    Summary of Findings    
5.2    Recommendations    
5.3    Conclusion    
References     
Appendix    
Questionnaire    
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study
Social amenities such as electricity, pipe borne water etc, are services which makes life meaningful for the citizenry and are best provided by the government.
Here in Nigeria, it is quite a controversial issue to discover to what extent these services occupy the scale of preference of the government going by the epileptic manner in which they are rendered and in view of another supposition that the country is yet a developing one, regarded as a third world country.
Vandalization and outright theft of public property becomes a role rather than an exception. The agonizing fact is that Enugu Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria whose services are crucial to the nation is the most to suffer attacks from these vandals. Electricity power generation in Nigeria started towards the closing years of the last two centuries when the first generating plant was installed in the city of Lagos in 1898. From this date onward until 1950, the pattern of electricity development was in the form, of individual electricity undertakings set up at various towns, some of them by the federal government under the jurisdiction of the public works department and some of the native authority and one or two large municipal councils or authorities Amina (2008).
In 1950 in order to integrate power supply and make it effective, the government passed "The Electricity Corporation of Nigeria Ordinance of No. 15 of 1950. This ordinance brought under one control the electricity section, the public works department and all those undertakings which were under native authorities or municipal control and ownership" (Ifedi, 2005:10).
The Electricity Corporation of Nigeria usually referred to as "ECN" then became the statutory body responsible for generation, transmission, distribution and sales of electricity and its accolades to all consumers in Nigeria.
The Niger Dam Authority was established by an act of parliament in 1912. The authority was responsible for the construction and maintenance of dams and other effects on the river Niger and elsewhere generating electricity by means of water power construction of the Kainji Dam which began in 1914 as scheduled in December, 1968. Okeke (2011)
In September, 1967 the Federal Military government decided to merge the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria and Niger Dams Authority into a single body. A year later a Canadian firm of consultants "Sharno International Limited" was appointed to look into the technical details for the merger. The report was submitted in November 1971 – Ifedi (2005).
By decree No. 24 of 29th June, 1972, the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and the Niger Dam Authority (NDA) were merged to become the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). The actual merger did not actually take place until, 6th January, 1973 when a general manager was appointed. The decree stipulated that the authority is to develop and maintain efficient and economical system of electricity supply for all parts of the countries Cohen (1973).
The network of cables and other materials for electricity generation and distribution are basically spread throughout the country making it not safe in most cases. As a result thieves and vandals strike anytime to sabotage electricity cables, circuit breakers, units, bolts and irons of transmission towers. This constant vandalization of EEDC installations has led to the closure of many companies in Nigeria and also hampering national growth and development. This is why the researcher are embarking on this work Vandalization of Public Utilities on National Development with special reference to EEDC installations in Aba Urban Centres, in order to proffer solution to the problem.
1.2    Statement of the Problem
The weak development and maintenance of the power system has been a crucial topic of discussion in Nigeria. The outage of power affects both individuals and industries. The call for a roadmap for power sector reform by President Jonathan in August 2010 has been seen as the best approach towards stable electricity out flow Okeke (2011).
Nigeria is a country rich with mineral resources such as solar, wind, hydro, thermal energy and bio-energy but can only produce 4000 mega watts of capacity for over 150 million people which is too little and insufficient for the country, yet vandals and thieves still vandalize and sabotage electricity installations and equipment and this has led to the closure of many companies in Nigeria. Sun- Newspaper October 5, (2012:39)
Vandalism of EEDC installations through inexcusable and unjustified has seen the vandals carting away equipment worth billions of naira to satisfy the selfish greed of a few people. It is with some sense of frustration and anger at the obvious lack of patriotism and sense of morality exhibited by these unscrupulous elements in the society, that one would often ask why? Why could any sane person tear down his own house for very transient benefit, when the house would have benefited his own generations unborn? Why would one destroy such capital intensive installations so that he would make profit from where he did not sow? Is he not worse than a criminal?
"A lot of vandals have committed their wicked act" against society and sad as this might sound, they got away with it. It beats society hallow when the destructive act of these individuals take unimaginable turn as was recently experienced with the serial vandalism of transmission installations in the Southern part of the country (Okeke, 2011:12).
For instance the vandalism has affected the supply of electricity to 35 communities in Abia State. The vandals allegedly destroyed a major installation of the Abia Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) at Umuokpo thus, disrupting Electricity Supply in Aba and its environs. The Acting Managing Director of EEDC, Okeke Paul who confirmed the development is said to have disclosed that items such as insulators, high tension copper wire and heavy iron channels, were stolen, all these happened because of insecurity in the state.
The activities of these vandals are intended to frustrate the effort of the Federal, State and Local Government towards the provision of power supply and other basic amenities for the benefit of the general populace. Many have lost their lives in an attempt to carry out vandalization exercise. The government has also spent large sums of money in replacing those vandalized items.
1.3   Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vandalism in service delivery. From this general objective, specific objectives were derived as follows;
1.    To examine the extent of vandalization of EEDC installations in Aba urban centres
2.    To investigate the factors responsible for the vandalization of EEDC installations in Aba urban centres.
3.    To identify the effects of vandalization of EEDC installations on development in Aba urban centres.
4.    To investigate the strategies to mitigate the vandalization of EEDC installations and other public utilities in Aba urban centres.
1.4   Research Questions
To carry out the research effectively, a number of related questions covering the effects of vandalization of public utility on national development has been raised.
1.     To what extent has the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Installations vandalized in Aba urban centres?
2.    What are the factors responsible for the vandalization of Enugu   Electricity distribution Company installations in Aba urban centres?
3.    What are the effects of vandalization of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Installations on Development in Aba urban centres?
4.    What are the strategies to mitigate the vandalization of Enugu  Electricity Distribution Company Installations and other Public Utilities in Aba urban centres?
1.5    Significance of the Study
Empirically, the management and staff of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria (EEDC) will find this work useful in their operation on how to guide their installations.
Also, the government and the public who usually suffer the cost of replacing the vandalized items would still value this contribution as they serve as a guide in protecting further vandalization.
Theoretically, the work will serve as a reference material for future researchers in the subject of the study. This is because this study exposes current and vital thought on the effect of vandalization of public utilities especially that of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company installations in Aba urban centres.
1.6    Scope of the Study
This research work was specifically conducted and carried out in Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Aba urban centres, including the three local government that make up Aba urban centres.
There are many variables related to EEDC vandalization of public utility on National Development, but this study examined the extent of vandalization of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Installations in Aba urban centres. It investigated the factors responsible for the vandalization of EEDC installations in Aba urban centre. It also investigated the effects of vandalization of EEDC installations on development in Aba urban centres. It explored the strategies to mitigate the vandalization of EEDC installation and other public utilities in Aba urban centres.
1.7    Limitations of the Study
The research of this nature cannot be without constraints which made the work highly demanding and difficult. Some of the limitations include the great energy in trying to convince the respondents before they could fill the questionnaire or grant the research interview. The data collection stage of this research was not easy as the researcher had to revisit the offices for data collection.
However, inspite of the numerous constraints encountered in the course this study, the researcher believed that an appreciable work was finally carried out.  
1.9   Definition of Terms/ Acronyms
Vandalization:    Damaging of public/ government properties
Electrocuted:    Kill by accident or put to death by means of electric current.
Cable:        Length of thick or strong rope of fibre or wire strands
Transmission Line:    It s a line used in transmitting news/ radio or television or can be used   to transmit power from the engine to necessary wage/purpose.
Population:     Number of people living in a place, country etc.
EEDC:         Enugu Electricity Distribution Company
Hospitality:         Friendly and Generous.
Priority:         Right to have or do something before others.
Meter:        A device that measures and records the quantity, degree, or rate of usage of water or electricity.
NEPA:         National Electricity Power Authority
Transformer:    This is a static device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductor - the transformer coils. Transformers can be classified and not limited to size or the rating as distribution or power; core assembly as shell or stalked core.
Public Utility:    (Commerce) an enterprise concerned with the provision to the public of essentials, such as electricity or water etc.