CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND TO PROBLEM

The successive development plans of Nigeria have laid emphasis on the attainment of self reliance.  The need for this national objective is because much is expected from individuals from the view point of providing employment opportunities self reliance in basic food and material production high per capital income, foreign exchange earnings and the production of industrial raw materials.

Okporobie (1989:10) observes that Nigeria small scale business continued to decline despite the so called priority given to the sector

However, the discovery by the central bank  that this policy was not enough by it self led to the central bank request with effect from 1970/80 that all commercial bank must reserve a proportion of the minimum credit allocation to indigenous borrowers for small scale Nigeria enterprises.  The target prescribed in 1979 was ten percent (10%) which subsequently raised to sixteen percent (16%).

Even though available data showed that performance of Union bank against this directive has been disappointing. The central bank intends to  spare no effort in ensuring that banks fully couple without compromising the smooth functioning of the nation banning system.

He observed also, that without the development of small scale business in Nigeria, the nations quest for industrialization will certainly remain forever at stake. It is the opinion of the researcher that future development in our industrialization must address the basic issues of creating linkages without the economy to begin to produce real inputs to our manufacturing activities .

Priority attention must therefore be given to these industries for which domestic inputs could easily be produced.  This will bring about  agro-allied industries like food processing and other by-products.

The objective should be to maximize the value added in their processing and manufacturing as final goods immediately inputs.

Nzewi and Oze (1985:56) observed that empirical evidence indicates that strong producer incentives to small scale industrialists are necessary not also only to meet the food requirement but also to  provide growing input supplies and demand as a foundation for sustained industrial growth.

The present economic constraint may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise to our industrialization effect particularly for dynamic manufacturing sector.  For instance, the market determinate exchange rate through seeing with its result and high cost of imported inputs may serve as an impetus for industrialist to intensify their search for local substitutes.

Ekenyong and Nyong (1992) observed that small scale enterprises are regarded an organic part of a viable structure for the attainment meaningful economy development in developing economic like Nigeria.

They are significantly more cost effective in bringing about development than large enterprises because of the perceived linkage and multiplier effects which small scale enterprises have on the performance of the economy and economic growth in general.

Osayameh (1989) observes that the strength that make small scale enterprises more amendable for assistance areas as follows.

1.    Personal commitment of the proprietor whose life savings usually form the start up capital.

 2.   Low initial capital out lay requirement

3.    Ease of entry and exit and prevalence of just minimal legal constraints

4.    Amenability to business advisory services because of their small size which makes than more responsive to improvement suggestions.

Olashore (1987) Observes that the four main sources of enterprises financing open to small scale industry in Nigeria are.

i.     Formal financial institutions such as commercial banks merchant banks, insurance companies and the development bank.

ii.    Informal financial landlords, credit and savings associations “esus” friends and relations personal savings and .

iii.    Other financial scheme, NERFUND NEXIM

in 2001, there was an introduction of small and medium industries equity investment scheme (SMIEIS) in which N359 million was set aside to date by banks under small medium industries equity investment scheme.

Through union bank small and medium scale enterprises (SMES) department, the bank has remain ed in fore front of SMES financing nations was extended to the SMES as at 31st March 2004.

Small scale industry is any industry not exceeding N750,000 including working capital  but excluding cost of land.

It is also defined by center for industrial research and development of Obafemi  Awolowo university Ile Ife as  those industries whose total assets in plant, equipment and working capital do not exceed N250,000 with not more than 50 employees.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem of credit to small scale business may not necessarily be as a result of financing insufficiency but rather for some other reasons among which are.

i.     Insufficient preparation on the part of small scale entrepreneurs in their request for credit assistance.

ii.    Information gaps as to range of funding institutions and scope of services available in these institution

iii.    Moreover, servicing of small business accounts is relatively experience, risky and difficult to monitor with low turn over of account.

However, the parishioners in the sector small scale industry do not display competence in preparing justification for their project.  It is are to see most of them coming up with cash flow projections, projected balance sheets, among others.  They are based on personal rudimentary in formation and speculation.  At times when they seek the advice of consultants, the outcome that are made figures project based on assumptions which are most of their time unrealistic.

As a result such proposals are out rightly rejected by banks.

There are suitable when credit demands in this sector are not in compliance in this government monetary policy and credit guidelines which must be adhered to by banks.

The researcher identifies these problem and considers it necessary to carry our study on them.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study include:

a.    To ascertain the extent to which the union bank of Nigeria plc has helped to finance small scale business.

b.    To identify the problems encountered by small scale industrialists in obtaining finance from union bank of Nigeria plc.

c.    To evaluate various measures introduced to boost industrial production and its financing and how this has affected realization of the set goals.

d.    to determine the causing changes in small scale industrial financing by union bank of Nigeria plc.

e.    To make suggestion and recommendations based on the data generated by the study.

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The critical appraisal to give answers to the following questions.

a.    To what extent has  union bank of Nigeria plc helped to finance small scale businesses?

b.    What are the problems encountered by the small scale industrialists in obtaining finance from union bank if Nigeria plc?

c.    what are the various measures introduced to boost industrial production and its  financing and how this has affected the realization of the set goals?

d.    What are the causes of changes in small scale industrial financing by union bank of Nigeria plc?

e.    Does any linear relationship exist between lending to small scale businesses and economic recovery and self reliance on the economy?

1.5  RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

a.    There is no linear relationship between lending to small scale businesses and economic recovery and self-reliance of the economy.

b.    there is no relationship between union bank of Nigeria plc lending to small scale businesses and the attitude of this customers

1.6  SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of the study is  Union bank of Nigeria.  It does not cover the role of Union bank in financing medium and large scale businesses.

1.7  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will highlight problems associated with the role of Union bank in financing small scale industry in Nigeria.

It  will give information on the possible areas for in provement.

Furthermore, the study will help commercial banks to assess and appraisal their role in financing small scale  industry in Nigeria.

Moreover, suggestions and recommendations made in this paper will help policy makers formulate new economic policies maintain or modify the existing one.

It will equally serve as a guideline to researchers who may wish too decide with this study in the future.

It will also help small scale entrepreneurs to make sufficient preparation in their request for credit assistance.

It will guide the entrepreneurs in making credits demands that are compliance with government monetary policy.

The last but not the least it will help the entrepreneurs to displayed competence in preparing justification for their project. It is rear to see most of them coming up with cash projections, projected balance sheets.

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