INFORMAL SECTOR ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The importance of micro, small and medium sized enterprises as well as the upgrading of the informal sector is in particular being advocated as a strategy for enhancing economic growth and development in most economies, Nigeria inclusive. The logic for nurturing and supporting micro, small and medium sized informal economic organisations becomes desideratum when one considers their potential for development as manifested in their labour-intensive nature, avenue for employment generation and potential use of local resources. As the informal sector economic organisations cannot operate in isolation of its environment, this study examines the extent to which the government has actutally impacted on the organisations and in what ways have the organisations equally impacted on the government policy decision making. Using personal interview method of research, this study has found a symbiotic relationship between the informal sector economic organizations and the government. Cases abound where these organizations via their unions/associations influence government decisions and vice versa.  This has been demonstrated in the following economic activities, such as: the furniture making, bakery, welding and iron works and printing press. Others include barbing /hairdressing salon, Okada riders, informal educational services, automotive workshops and the market women. This study has equally revealed the problem of infrastructural decay in the country, particularly the erratic power supply besetting the operators of this sector. This has led to the high cost of production as most operators are forced to employ alternative source of generating electricity through in-house plants. As a way forward, there is the urgent need for government to put in place conducive environment for the operators of this sector in order to fully realize their potentials.