EPILEPTIC POWER SUPPLY AND SMALL BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Epileptic Power Supply is referred to as a situation of irregular supply of electricity. SMEs role is significant to the development of many societies. Despite SMEs contribution to economic development, they are plagued with many challenges that hinder their optimal contribution to economic growth and development (Adanlawo et al., 2021). Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are significant to nations' economic growth and development (Eniola and Ektebangm, 2014). Scott et al. (2014) asserts that access to a consistent and affordable electricity supply is essential for smooth production of goods and services to meet mankind needs. Conversely, consistent supply of electricity to the SMEs is critical to the sustenance of middle-income status of many developing nations. However, epileptic electricity supply is common is most developing African nations, and thus hinders substantial contribution to economic development.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Small businesses are now increasing being perceived as an important contributor to economic growth and development. They make significant contribution towards job creation and the provision of low cost goods and services. Over the last decades, there have been a number of changes in the way global business is conducted which the changes include the liberalization of trade, expansion of regional economic integrations and advances in information communications. While these changes have taken place, the importance of small businesses still remains an integral component of the overall economic activities (Reddy 2007).

Epileptic power supply is a situation where by there are poor power outages in an area over a given period of time which at times it may take the form of low voltage, when there is supply at all. This can arise from either the generating or transmitting end, but is ultimately felt at the utilizing end and any nation that is always confronted with an irregular supply of electricity is always retarded in development and risk to investors.

Small business owners and manufacturers have rightly complained that any interruption in electricity supply is bound to have negative effect on their output. Residential users of electricity have complained that power outages can affect their electrical /electronic appliances small and medium scale business users of electricity have admitted that interrupted electricity is the bane of the smooth running of their businesses. Therefore, there is no human's of our socio-economic life that is not affected by the electricity supply. Power supply serves as an indispensable input in SMEs activities. Apart from its necessity for running many industrial machines, its role in the productivity of human capital is enormous. Virtually, all business activities, especially industrial units, require a constant and effective flow of electricity. Similarly, serving as an input in production processes, electricity also contributes greatly to product marketing. In many cases, availability of power supply plays important role in storing finished goods ahead of demand and therefore enhances consumers' satisfaction by assisting in making the goods available to consumers when needed. The supply of e1ecricity supply of in Nigeria is devilled with consistent crisis as exemplified by such indicators as electricity blackouts and persistent on self generating electricity.

Ekpo (2009) articulated that Nigeria is running a generator economy with its adverse effect on cost of production. Access to a reliable electricity supply is widely considered to be vital to the operations of most small and medium-scale businesses (World Bank Enterprise Surveys, 2013). The analysis of Enterprise Survey data according to Foster and Steinbuks (2008), in middle and lower income countries, firms themselves consider access to electricity to be one of the biggest constraints to their business.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Epileptic Power Supply and Small Business Performance.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that small businesses performance in Nigeria is threatened by the situation of poor power supply in Nigeria. The situation is very serious due to the high cost of depending on fuel and operating the business with generators and poor plants instead of using the funds to buy more goods and services to grow their businesses. Constant power outages is rampant in Nigeria, many companies are relocating from Nigeria to other countries due to the situation.

The consequence of this situation is job displacement and high level of poverty and unemployment and in addition, many potential entrepreneurs are discouraged from starting up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) due to the unfavourable condition. Government policies on the promotion of small scale business are not effective due to the poor electricity supply in Nigeria. It is in view of these problems that this study is set to examine Epileptic Power Supply and Small Business Performance in Nigeria.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Epileptic Power Supply and Small Business Performance in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the problems of epileptic power supply in Nigeria;
2. To evaluate the causes of epileptic power supply in Nigeria;
3. To examine the impact of epileptic power supply on small business performance in Nigeria; and
4. To identify possible solutions to the problem of poor power supply in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the problem of epileptic power supply in Nigeria?
• What are the causes of epileptic power supply in Nigeria?
• What is the impact of epileptic power supply on small business performance in Nigeria?
• What are the possible solutions to the problem of epileptic power supply in Nigeria?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant effect of epileptic power supply on Small Business Performance in Nigeria
• H1: There is significant effect of epileptic power supply on Small Business Performance in Nigeria

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant factor causing challenges of epileptic power supply on Small Business Performance in Nigeria
• H1: There is significant factor causing challenges of epileptic power supply on Small Business Performance in Nigeria

1.7 Significance of Study

The study will be useful to the state government and the federal government on the importance of adequate power supply and it will help to identify the impact of epileptic power supply in Nigeria and proffer recommendation on solving the problem. It will also serve as a reference material to other scholars/researchers and individuals seeking for information on the subject.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Epileptic Power Supply and Small Business Performance in Nigeria.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Epileptic Power Supply: A situation of irregular supply of electricity.

Power: Electricity made available for use.

Business: A company or other organization that buys and sells goods, makes products, or provides services.

Performance: Working effectiveness; the way in which somebody does a job, judged by its effectiveness.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Is a business segment term that is used differently in different countries, and sometimes differently in different industries in the same country – It means, small and medium sized Enterprises in full, are companies whose turnover or head count falls below certain limits.