SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES

The aim of this study was designed to examine the place of infrastructure in the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. To guide the study, four research questions were raised which are outlined thus: Does good road influence the growth of SME? How does power supply impact the growth of SME? How does information technology and communication influence the growth of SME? How does transportation system influence the growth of SME? The study adopted survey research design because the sampled elements and the variables under investigation were observed without any attempt to control or manipulate them from these four research questions, 20 items were raised in the questionnaire together with the data for this study and the questionnaire was subject to Crobach alpha method of testing and a coefficient of 0.73 was obtained. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. Population of the study consisted of operators of small and medium businesses operating in Edo State City, Edo Sate. he findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents were agreed access to reliable electricity supply impact the growth of small medium enterprise. It was shown that majority of the respondents agree that time spent on the road network in commuting for small business activities impact expenses on the growth of small medium enterprise. It was seen that majority of the respondents agreed that customer satisfactionthrough the use of ICT. It is recommended that there is need for the State government to create independent power supply in industrial estates while sustaining the expanded electricity distribution programme. There is also the need to restructure and strengthen policy in favour of small-scale business to stimulate their rapid growth and development. Small businesses are expected to champion local sourcing of raw materials and export them
if the environment is enabling enough. Finally, the quality and quantity of goods produced by SMEs should be of a high quality with relatively low price at all times, this will attract more customers and make demand to be high always.