ENERGY SUPPLY FOR DOMESTIC USE AND IMPACT ON THE URBAN POOR IN MAKURDI NIGERIA

In Nigeria, as many developing countries, providing energy for the population has proven to be a great challenge thereby increasing dependence on other sources of energy such as fuel-wood. The consumption of forest product such as wood in Nigeria exceeds its regeneration rate thereby resulting in environmental problems such as deforestation, desert encroachment, soil erosion and habitat loss. The aim of the research is to investigate household’s fuel-wood consumption pattern and its impact on the urban poor using Makurdi Nigeria as my case study. Three factors level of qualification, monthly income and number of households were tested to know the influence of these factors on fuel-wood consumption. Methods used to collect data includes primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected by administering questionnaires and secondary data from journals and articles. Result of the findings shows that there is statistical significant impact of monthly income of fuel-wood consumption while level of qualification and number of household members has no statistical significance. The survey revealed some gaps on strategies to reduce deforestation and increase efficiency in fuel-wood consumption. Short term, medium term and long term strategy were recommended.

Table of content

1.0.   Introduction

1.1.   Background of the Study ………………………………………………………………………...1

1.2.   Aim of the study ……………………………………………………………………………………..2

1.3.   Research Objectives and Questions ………………………………………………………..3

1.4.   Research hypothesis ……………………………………………………………………………….3

1.5.   Definition of Terms …………………………………………………………………………………4

2.0   Literature review

2.1   Economic and Environmental Impact of Fuel-wood Consumption ………………..…5

2.2   Nigerian energy policy ……………………………………………………………………………………..6

2.2.1   Fuel-wood policies ……………………………………………………………………..………6

2.2.2   Strategies ……………………………………………………………………………………………7

2.3   Constraints to Forest Conservation in Nigeria ……………………………………….8

3.0   Methodology

3.1   Research Approach …………………………………………………………………………….…9

3.1.1   Study area ……………………………………………………………………………………….…9

3.2   Primary Data Collection ………………………………………………………………….……10

3.3   Ethical issues …………………………………………………………………………………….…11

3.4   Data analysis …………………………………………………………………………………....…12

4.0   Result and discussion

4.1   Result …………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

4.1.1   Ethnic origin ………………………………………………………………………………………..13

4.1.2   Educational Qualification ……………………………………………………………….……13

4.1.3   Income level …………………………………………………………………………………….….15

4.1.4   Sources of energy …………………………………………………………………………….….15

4.1.5   Fuel-wood consumption frequency and sources …………………………….……15

4.1.6   Level of qualification and awareness of the potential impact of wood-smoke on health …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…16

4.2.1   Independent t-test result with equal variances assumed ……………………...21

4.2.2  Independent t-test result with equal variances assumed……………………....22

4.2.3   Independent t-test result with equal variances assumed ………………..…….22

5.0   Conclusion and recommendation

5.1   Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………….….25

5.2   Recommendation ..................................................................................……..25

5.1.1   Short term strategy ……………………………………………………………………………..…25

5.1.2   Medium and long term strategy ……………………………………………………….….26

References

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