(A SURVEY OF ENTREPRENEURS IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE)
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ABSTRACT
This study examines entrepreneurship development programme and its impact on rural communities in Nigeria. The main examine entrepreneurship development programme and its impact on rural communities. The specific objectives are to appraise for efficiency or otherwise, the adoption of the strategies for rural entrepreneurial development programme strive in Nigeria, to determine the level of importance ascribed to policies and institutions vital for entrepreneurial development in Nigeria, to examine the problems of associated with the proper implementation of entrepreneurship development programme in Nigeria, to find solutions to the problems associated with entrepreneurship development programme in Nigeria. The population of this study is made of entrepreneurs in Rivers State. The researcher draws a sample size of one hundred (100) respondents using simple random probability. The target population of interest of the researcher is some selected entrepreneurs in Rivers state. Convenience sampling procedure was adopted for easy accessibility and courage of the sample size. Target population is (100). It is expected that these sample units will provide the required data. The Yaro Yemen’s formula was used to determine the sample size of 80 and the analyses was based on it. Base on the hypotheses testing summary, conclusion and recommendations were made that Various Interventionist Institutions should be effectively monitored to make available funds for financing entrepreneurial development projects, entrepreneurs who are starting up larger business face difficulty raising investment capital and lack of sound market-based policies, again, there should be need for both government and private sector to partner through Private-Partnership Project (PPP) to complete most abandoned government projects such as skills and acquisition centres.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In Nigeria, more than sixty percent of the population lives in the rural areas. In spite of this, developmental efforts have been concentrated in the urban areas to the neglect of the rural areas thereby making life very difficult for the rural dwellers. Provisions of social amenities such as roads, electricity and water supply, sanitation, etc are disproportionately handled at all levels of government between the urban and rural dichotomy in favor of the urban areas.
Rural development is primarily concerned with strategies aimed at improving the quality of lives of people resident in relatively remote and sparsely populated communities. Indeed, entrepreneurship development and employment generation provide a vital platform for enhancing rural livelihoods. Sustainable rural development is thus achieved where and when unemployment and poverty situations are alleviated through context- specific and ecologically-sound community level initiatives. The realization of meaningful economic growth and development suggests that rural people’s potentials for entrepreneurship need to be unlocked in order to lift them out of poverty (UNIDO, 2003:5). Without doubt, the provision of basic infrastructures (social, physical and institutional) serves as the basis for driving rural entrepreneurship development and employment promotion in any developing economy. In most African economies, agriculture serves as the main source of livelihoods and income earner for rural people. A strong association therefore exists between rural employment, agricultural growth and rural development (FAO, 2013:1).
However, rural entrepreneurship development, which sees employment generation beyond agriculture alone, is increasingly seen as having a direct link with rural development (Petrin, 1994). Against the background of the emerging global socio- economic and political trend, the current debate on the appropriateness of a place-based approach as a new paradigm shift as against the sectoral-based approach in rural policy formulation (OECD, 2006) finds its relevance in a globalised world. Rural policy therefore plays a significant role in charting a new path for the development of rural communities to the extent that local people find relevance in contributing to the good and progress of not only their own immediate communities but to the larger society as a whole, ‘…and to do so while remaining in rural areas’ (Freshwater, 2000). Given the prevailing scenarios, context-specific and ecologically viable initiatives will play a significant role in enhancing sustainable entrepreneurship development programme and employment promotion, particularly so in the Southern part of the country (Nigeria) with emphasis on Port Harcourt. The survival of rural communities and people will ultimately depend on their ability to identify and implement employment generating businesses that are not only suitable to their peculiar environment but able to find relevance in local and global demand.
This project work research findings on entrepreneurship development programme; and highlights various steps followed in implementing participatory entrepreneurship development programme on rural communities in Nigeria as a model for any developing economies.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Entrepreneurship thrives in a conducive business environments supported with policies whose targets are macro –economic stability, protection of entrepreneurs’ property rights, development and channeling of entrepreneurial talents, increasing the numerical value of entrepreneurs, development of markets for the outputs of entrepreneurial endeavors, increasing the effectiveness of entrepreneurs as well as increasing the demand for entrepreneurship, as anchors for growth and sustainability and good access to capital and labour. The capital and labour bases of entrepreneurship ensure quality management, good sources of technology, communications, transportation, storage and warehouse facilities and infrastructure and professional advice. Variance in availability of these hubs of entrepreneurship marks the difference between the developing and developed economy entrepreneurship operation.
Nigeria as rural area intensive economy in content, context and structure is exposed to the challenges of policy implementation, hence experiences deficiencies in traditional supports needed for entrepreneurial restructuring and development. Consequent to the absence of this is the call for entrepreneurial behaviour that spurs the ability of the entrepreneurs to spot unconventional market opportunities especially in the face of identified institutional support deficiencies.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this project work was determined to examine entrepreneurship development programme and its impact on the rural communities in Nigeria. However in specific terms, it has the following sub-objectives:
- To appraise for efficiency or otherwise, the adoption of the strategies for rural entrepreneurial development programme strive in Nigeria.
- To determine the level of importance ascribed to policies and institutions vital for entrepreneurial development in Nigeria.
- To examine the problems of associated with the proper implementation of entrepreneurship development programme in Nigeria.
- To find solutions to the problems associated with entrepreneurship development programme in Nigeria.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study will serve as guide to entrepreneurial support agencies in particular and the Nigerian entrepreneurs as a whole in determining the best way of getting the best output from their businesses who are presently demoralized in the face of the prevailing socio-economic hardship.
The study is also aimed at contributing to the literature in entrepreneurship development programmes with reference to rural communities in Nigeria. Also, this work on completion will broaden the essence for entrepreneurship development in rural communities in Nigeria.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Base on the objective of the study the following research questions shall be used to guide the researcher.
- To what extent does rural entrepreneurial development programme enhance economic growth in rural communities in Nigeria?
- How does an entrepreneurship support agency contribute and attach importance to entrepreneurial development in rural communities in Nigeria?
- To what extent does entrepreneurship development programmes reduce the level of poverty in rural communities?
1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESES
HO1: Rural entrepreneurial development programme enhance economic growth in rural communities in Nigeria?
HO2: Entrepreneurship support agencies do not contribute and attach importance to entrepreneurial development in rural communities in Nigeria?
1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research focuses on Entrepreneurs in Port Harcourt River State Nigeria. It further tries to provide a solution to basic problems by testing some of the prepositions of Nigerian situation. The study is limited to the following limitations:
The level of frankness in response to questions by the respondents is quite doubtful.
Finance: Accessing fund for the research work as difficult and this to a great extent limited the quality of research activity.
Time: The time allocated to the research work was not sufficient to give room for further intensive work on the field of study.
Again the attitude of some entrepreneurs and support agencies in providing the relevant information’s needed for the study.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Constraints: This is a condition that we need to happen or would like to happen with a design in the early stage of a design task they may tend to be negative.
Development: This is a gradual growth of something so that it comes more advances, stronger. It is also process of producing or creating something new.
Entrepreneurship: This is a person who assumes the risk of organization and managing a business in the hope of making a profit is earned, it is received by the entrepreneur (Reinbeck 1980).
Enterprises: It means willingness to undertake new or risky projects, energy and initiative.
Medium: The means or channel by which an aim is achieved or it is the materials used to finish a work piece using a mass finishing or abrasive blasting process.
Small: It means not large or big. Insignificant few in number or size, or any part of something that is smaller.