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GIS in Management of Electricity Distribution Network: A case study of Onitsha-North L.G.A., Anambra state, Nigeria.
An alternative approach of maintaining a coherent database in a scientific and efficient manner by use of advanced information technology is therefore, required. Hence, there will be improvements in planning, implementation and operation of the electricity sector through provision of timely, reliable, sufficiently and accurately detailed data which will facilitate its decision making activities. Uluocha (1998) noted that if the noble objective of mapping for proper utility design and maintenance is to be satisfactorily achieved, the more sophisticated computer-based Automated Mapping /Facility Management (AM\FM) or a Geographic Information System (GIS) must be embraced. The potentials and challenges of using the GIS technique in utility mapping in a developing country as Nigeria, have to some extent been demonstrated by the work of Adekunle (1995). With the use of GIS, NEPA can collect, input, edit, store, retrieve, query, process, analyze and output large amount of data at desired scales and projections (Fig. 1).
 Fig. 1.0: National Electricity Power Authority’s Overhead Transmission Cables (Their Locations and Attribute Information can be Managed by GIS) The benefits of, and hence, factors favoring automated utility information system are numerous, some of which have been chronicled by Antenucci (1988), Maguire (1989), Tomlison (1990), Jones (1997), Ezeigbo (1998), and Adeoye (1998). 1.2 The Study Area The study area (Fig. 3.0) is Onitsha-North Local Government Area with headquarters at Onitsha in Anambra State of Nigeria. It is situated between latitudes 060 021 N and 060 081 N and longitudes 060 471 E and 060 591 E. It serves as the gateway between southeastern and southwestern Nigeria. The area situates where a high ground underlain by the sandstones of the Bende-Ameke formation, comes very close to River Niger. It provides a stretch of well-drained, healthy site in the flood plains of the River Niger. Such favorable site at the meeting point of two contrasting regions east and west of the Niger, and the Niger itself, which provides a link with the savanna zone to the north and the forest and delta region to the south, enabled the area to develop as an important commercial center, south east of Nigeria. The area is heavily populated resulting in high electricity consumption. Fig 2. Shows a transformer station within the study area.  Fig. 2: A NEPA Transformer Station at Onitsha-North L.G.A. (GIS can facilitate routine maintenance)  Fig. 3.0: Map of Nigeria and Location of The study area |