Power Failure and Entrepreneurial Behaviour in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Reliable electricity supply is a vital tool for successful operations of entrepreneurial businesses. However, unreliable power supply is one of the greatest problems confronting business activities in Nigeria. Although several research works have been done on the subject, none of such studies have examined power failure and entrepreneurial behaviour of entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State. It is therefore the aim of this study to investigate power failure and entrepreneurial behaviour of entrepreneurs in Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State. Using a descriptive design, 120 entrepreneurs were examined purposively for the study. Findings revealed that frequent power failure in terms of power outage adversely affect the operations of the businesses in the state with high and low voltage damaging the machineries used by the entrepreneurs to operate their businesses leading to constant repairs, replacement, loss of patronage and impeding the growth of their businesses. Hence, it is recommended that the government should do more to arrest the issue of unreliable energy supply in the state to boost businesses and reduce high cost of operation due to the usage of personally sourced alternative power supply.