The State of Infrastructural Facilities and Operational Efficiency of Manufacturing Industries in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The prospect for the establishment and sustenance of manufacturing industries in general, and the Small Medium Enterprises in particular, depends largely on the existence and/or provision of dependable/efficient infrastructural facilities. Yet there is a presumption that the major constraint to the establishment and growth of manufacturing industries especially the Small Medium Enterprises is the lack of and or inadequacy of infrastructural facilities; namely electricity, (i.e. energy) water, road, telephone and other communication facilities. In order to empirically ascertain the extent to which assumption is valid, a survey was conducted to investigate the state of infrastructural facilities and the extent to which they affect the operational efficiency of the manufacturing industries in Kano metropolis. A sample of 50 manufacturing firms was therefore selected from the population of manufacturing establishments located in the two key industrial areas of Kano metropolis specifically the Bompai and Sharada industrial areas. Survey data were collected using questionnaire, the research instrument comprising multiple choice closed ended questions. The investigation revealed that manufacturing industries in Kano are generally suffering from inadequate supply of major infrastructural facilities considered too essential for their effective and efficient operation. It thus has a pronounced disruptive effect on their operations. Virtually all firms surveyed consequently operate at below their respective installed capacity. This perhaps is a reflection of the situation across the country. It was therefore, recommended that the relevant governmental authorities and agencies should urgently consider embarking on measures aimed at significantly improving the infrastructural facilities especially electricity and water, that are pertinent to ensuring optimal functioning of the manufacturing organizations. This is particularly appropriate and pertinent because of the potentially positive effect on the economy more so, in terms of the possible reduction in the level of unemployment and improvement in standard of living.