Assessment of residents’ satisfaction with housing unit features in private housing estates in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is among the top three countries with the largest electricity deficits in the world, paradoxically, Nigeria has become legendary for fits and starts in domestic electric power supply to homes of her citizens. Community, state and national interventions had little impact. This study looks at citizen initiatives to attain domestic energy security in Ado-Ekiti Nigeria- a medium sized state capital (Ekiti state). The study adopted a mixed method that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study specifically investigated the socio-economic characteristics of the residents (age, family size, educational status and monthly income), sources of modern domestic electric power supply, including cleaner electric energy strategies. It is an empirical research that used simple random sampling to select 1029 cases from a frame of 30,195, who supplied information through the questionnaire instrument. The research methods include comparative analysis, indepth fieldwork, observation, interviews, collation and information derived from research institutes. Research findings showed a variety of sources utilized by residents to meet their energy needs. Among the rich, the use of solar panels to argument public power supply was common. The middle class combined generators with public supply. The poor were content to use candles and kerosene lamps when public supply failed. Energy reform, directed at nationalization, adequate funding of the grid and decentralization, innovation in energy technology, such as solar power were recommended to improve the energy sector of the state and lessen hardship for the citizens.