AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ROLE OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF ENUGU STATE)
ABSTRACT
A great deal of concern has been sparked off about the growth and expansion of the small scale industries in this country.
Industry as the main stay of the country’s economy. It is shown from the neglect experienced from the advert of oil boom after the civil war. This came in with numerous problems which includes high cost of imported goods that would have been manufactured by our home based industries.
This situation really called for adequate care and attention of the masses to have interest in establishing small scale industries in Nigeria in order to achieve self sufficiency in the production of local goods.
As a researcher, I undertake an investigation into the role of small scale industries in the economic development of Nigeria (A case study of Enugu State) and the problems being encountered by small scale industries together with possible recommendations.
This study contain four chapters; chapter one deal with introductions, chapter two deal on literature review, chapter three deal on research methodology and chapter four deal on data, analysis and presentation, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The attainment of advanced and developed stage in industrial and economic development by many countries of the world started with the small scale business (industries) particularly in the manufacturing sector.
In developing country, like Nigeria, the process of industrial and economic development is joint responsible of the fiscal and monetary policies of the government, the private and the public business enterprises and the individuals. However, the Nigeria economy is predominately characterized by economic lackage which causes structural imbalance always.
It appeared that during the colonial era, mot of small scale industries mostly manufacturing industries were mainly subsidiary of foreign companies, implication of this is that most profit if not all profit made by these industries are transferred to their mother countries rather than using it in developing Nigeria. At worst, the 1973/74 oil book era shifted the business sector as well as individuals from production to the importation of mostly everything. Enugu state is not left in this quest. It should be mentioned that since 1970, Enugu state has not fashioned well in the industrial growth compared with states like Lagos, Kaduna and Kano but with the decline of foreign exchange earning which ahs reduced the crazy for the importation. Enugu state businessmen are now funding it necessary to industrialize by diversifying into productive sectors. Also considering the present economic situation in the country, the entrepreneurs in Enugu state now more than ever, need to branch out into some other areas outside buying and selling. This request is necessary because in Enugu State, most small scale business are buying and selling enterprises.
