Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution in Adamawa State

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess equipment maintenance practices for effective electric power distribution in Adamawa State by Yola Electricity Distribution Company. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 69 consisting of 46 technicians and 23 supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company. The whole population was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled “Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution Questionnaire (AEMPELPDQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts and a reliability of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the study revealed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts monthly routine maintenance on 18 out of the 31 items listed equipment while quarterly routine maintenance is carried out on 11 of the 31 items. Weekly maintenance is adopted for only two (2) of the equipment; Out of the 31 items listed, 22 of the items are semi-annually maintained; while eight (8) of the items are annually maintained and only one (1) of the equipment (distribution board) is weekly maintained. Based on the findings, YEDC should ensure adequate inspection and supervision of equipment to prevent unwarranted breakdown that may affect effective distribution of electrical power; YEDC should ensure at least monthly routine maintenance is carried out on the equipment available to ensure effective usage.