Nigerian Power Supply Improves in Third Q3 – NOI Polls

Power supply in Nigeria improved in the third quarter of 2013, according to a latest poll result released by NOI Polls Limited. NOI, in its Power Sector Polls conducted during the period, revealed that 38 percent of Nigerians claim to experience slight improvements in power supply compared to 33 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2013.The poll further revealed that the proportion of Nigerians that experienced decline in their power supply reduced by 5-points in the third quarter to 42% down from 47% in the second quarter.

Despite the improvements in power supply recorded over the quarter, the poll revealed that about 78 per cent of Nigerians still made use of alternative sources to augment their power supply; marking a 3-point decline from 81 per cent in the second quarter.

The poll was conducted between July and September 2013, and it involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample of over 3,000 phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country.

When asked if they were aware of the efforts the Federal Government was making to reform the power sector, an average of 67% of Nigerians said they were aware. The polling agency, however, noted that the result showed no marked difference with that of the second quarter where 68 per cent said they were aware of government’s effort.

Also 62 per cent of the respondents expressed hope in the ongoing privatisation exercise in the power sector, same as in the second and third quarters. “However, it is worth noting that the proportion of respondents that were ‘very hopeful’ increased by 7-points from the second quarter (nine per cent) to the third quarter (16 per cent); indicating more buy-in and support for the ongoing power sector reform and privatisation process,” NOI said.

Continuing, the polling agency said, “In order to highlight the trends in power supply over the third quarter of 2013, respondents were asked the following question: ‘How would you describe power in your area in the past 1 month?’ An evaluation of poll results over the three month period showed there have been no dramatic changes in power supply. “There was a 3-point increase between July and September in the proportion of respondents that claim power supply has improved a little and a 5-point drop in the proportion that claim power supply is very bad and has gone worse.

“Exploring the situation of light across the three months showed that in September there was a balance in the proportion of Nigerians with positive and negative experiences with power supply since an equal percentage (41 per cent each) indicated an improvement and a deterioration of their power supply in that month.”