This article examines the specific or sub-sectoral effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on small business units, thus departing from previous studies which only focused on general effects. Based on qualitative and cross-sectional survey methods, the article depicts a cross-sectoral disparity in the patronage level and income stream of customers of small businesses found on the streets of south-eastern Nigeria. The article identifies the gap in the policy interventions meant to cushion the negative impacts of COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing policies on small businesses. Hence, state policy interventions have not had the cushioning impact on small businesses in south-eastern Nigeria. A pro-poor approach towards the review of the policy interventions is highly imperative.
This study underscores the contexts and crisis of privatisation in Nigeria's power sector to apprehend the level of prepaid meters distribution to consumers, the conflicting billing methods adopted and its impact on both the electricity consumers and revenue generation stream of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The descriptive survey method and correlation design were used, with sample drawn from Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. The results reveal that the introduction of prepaid metering and billing system did not improve electricity power distribution to consumers. There are still huge metering gaps in prepaid meter distribution to consumers resulting in distorted/partial implementation of both prepaid and estimated billing systems at the same time. This leads to imposition of non‐cost reflective tariffs on electricity consumers. It undermines efficiency, encourage corruption, meter scam by EEDC workers and low revenue generation for EEDC. The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should use taskforce to strictly monitor the distribution of prepared meter in Enugu metropolis by the Discos and promptly sanction the EEDC for infractions, to guarantee adequate electricity consumers protection in Nigeria.
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