(PDF) An Investigation Into the Perception and Attitude of Nigerians Towards Prepaid Electric Meters (a Case Study of Selected Residents of Ikorodu Lagos)

Content Structure of An Investigation Into the Perception and Attitude of Nigerians Towards Prepaid Electric Meters (a Case Study of Selected Residents of Ikorodu Lagos)

The abstract contains the research problem, the objectives, methodology, results, and recommendations
Chapter one of this thesis or project materials contains the background to the study, the research problem, the research questions, research objectives, research hypotheses, significance of the study, the scope of the study, organization of the study, and the operational definition of terms.
Chapter two contains relevant literature on the issue under investigation. The chapter is divided into five parts which are the conceptual review, theoretical review, empirical review, conceptual framework, and gaps in research
Chapter three contains the research design, study area, population, sample size and sampling technique, validity, reliability, source of data, operationalization of variables, research models, and data analysis method
Chapter four contains the data analysis and the discussion of the findings
Chapter five contains the summary of findings, conclusions, recommendations, contributions to knowledge, and recommendations for further studies.
References: The references are in APA
Questionnaire

Chapter One of An Investigation Into the Perception and Attitude of Nigerians Towards Prepaid Electric Meters (a Case Study of Selected Residents of Ikorodu Lagos)

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The use of Prepaid Meter is gaining recognition in recent times due to the numerous complaints by customers on the non- performance of the conventional electric meters. Prepaid meters allow the consumer to make payment for the service in advance before usage unlike the conventional commercial system where payment for usage is made after usage at the end of a given specified period. This means that with the prepaid systems the customer can only utilize power when they have credit in their electricity account. When the credit is exhausted, the power is discontinued (Kwan et al, 2002). The Prepaid Energy Meter enables power utilities companies to collect electricity bills in advance before the consumer’s consumption. Prepaid meters have Automated Meter Reading features and prepaid recharging system and information exchange features on customer usage details (South gate et al, 1996). The technology was first developed in South Africa in 1980 and has since spread to other countries of the world including Nigeria with the purpose of providing power to a wide range of people including the low income earners. According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Power the benefit of the prepaid meter, the customers say it is easy to operate through the use of the smart card to credit the customer account, transparent, ability to regulate usage, budget control, easy payment of bills, elimination of disputed bills, accurate record system, protection from abnormal voltage, provide warning for low credit. For the service providers, the benefit include; Advance payment for service, better earnings and steady cash flow, and Decrease in non-technical losses. The charging of the meter requires that the consumer buy electricity in advance according to his/her requirement through various vending options. Consequently, the meter is credited with the amount of credit bought and power supply is switched on automatically at load side. However, as the usage reaches emergency limit the meter releases a warning alarm indicating that the customer needs to recharge the meter. If the meter is not recharged, it disconnects automatically. The study seeks to investigate into the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters using select residents of Ikorodu Lagos.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The use of prepaid meters has in recent time attracted attention of the public due to the numerous complaints and challenges confronted with the use of the conventional meters by consumers of electricity. The purpose for which the prepaid meter was introduced to eliminate the challenges confronted in the use of the conventional meters in terms of cost reduction, durability, easy access to power and convenience has not been fully achieved. Though there has been some achievement in the introduction of the prepaid meters for use by the public, a large proportion of the public have still not adopted the technology and the few customers who have adopted it are reporting of the high cost involved in the maintenance of the prepaid meters. The problem confronting the study is to investigate into the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to investigate into the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters. A case study of selected residents of Ikorodu Lagos. The specific objectives of the study include;

To determine the relevance of prepaid meters.
To determine the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters.
To determine the perception and attitude of ikorodu residents towards prepaid electric meters.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What is the relevance of prepaid meters?
What is the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters?
What is the perception and attitude of ikorodu residents towards prepaid electric meters?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho₁: There is no significant relationship between perception of Nigerians and prepared electric meters.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study intends to provide an assessment on the extent to which prepaid meters have been accepted and the performance rating by the public with the view as to providing the needed information to stakeholders to proffers solution. .

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study proffers an investigation into the perception and attitude of Nigerians towards prepaid electric meters. A case study of selected residents of Ikorodu Lagos.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher was faced with logistics and geographical constraints.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

ELECTRIC METERS DEFINED

Electric meters are used to determine andmeasure the amount of electriccurrent supplied.

PREPAID METERS DEFINED

These are meters which enables the customer to make payment in advance before the usage of electricity supply.

REFERENCES

Amit, J. and Mohnish, B (2011).A prepaidmeterusing mobile communication, International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology Vol. 3, No. 3.

Arthur B W (1989) Competing technologies, increasing returns, and lock-in by historical events, The Economic Journal Vol. 99

Brown, R. E. (2002). Electric Power Distribution Reliability,Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Burger, at al (1992). Functional Specification for a Common Vending System for Electricity Dispensing Systems, Measurement and Control Department, National PTM&C Transmission Group, Eskom, Pretoria.

Burke, J. (1994), Power Distribution Engineering, Marcel Dekker, Inc.Burke, J. J.(1994).

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