Appraisal of the Determinants of Energy Use in LAPAI Local Government

Abstract

The paper investigates the determinants of energy use in Lapai Local government area of Niger state, Nigeria using a cross-sectional data randomly collected from 117 respondents in the Lapai. Employing the descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logistics regression model to capture the characteristics of the respondents and the determining factors of energy use in Lapai respective. The empirical result obtained revealed that people use more of the traditional energy sources (firewood and charcoal) because of its availability and affordability. Income level, family size, educational status, and occupational status are the major determinants of the use of the modern energy sources relative to traditional energy sources. The study thus recommends The Government through ministry of power and environment should come up with suitable policies that will shift the attention of using biomass energy source to modern energy source, Government and environmental agencies should introduce safe and sufficient energy source in other to reduce burden on the use of biomass in the country so as to reduce the level of pollution and erosion. The actions of the local government authorities towards the improvement in the availability and access to modern energy source so a s to reduce the use of traditional energy sources as well as improvement in the income level and access to education of individuals in the local government.