EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON THE SURVIVAL OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN ENUGU METROPOLIS AREA OF ENUGU: A STUDY OF SELECTED SMALL-SCALE BUSINESSES

Government policies concerning small enterprises vary between developed and developing economies and countries. These variations can be attributed to variations in business settings, industry concentration, social and customary norms. More small businesses are impacted by government policy than owners are aware of. Government policy, according to Shannon (2021), is a strategy or plan of action intended to alter a specific circumstance. It is also a guideline or concept that makes decisions easier to make and produces good results that advance the group or community. Government bureaucratic policies have the potential to facilitate or hinder the establishment of new firms. The government can create policies that support and stimulate the creation of novel goods, services, and technological advancements. But the government might sometimes seem to be hindering the success of small businesses when it enacts laws that restrict autonomy and other types of entrepreneurial freedom. Regarding policies that will encourage business ownership, it is argued that the government should provide the necessary resources with its own means, as it is ahead of this development. One of these resources is the ability to create a good business environment and stimulate private sector growth. In terms of government funding and support for policy implementation, all strategies to manage and improve the situation of small businesses are considered government policies in this context (Salami et al., 2023). The above description shows that the aim of the government's business policy is to promote business by creating an environment that supports 26 152 business. This has generally been achieved through the use of business policies, as small businesses form the basis of the country's business approach (Salami et al., 2023). Additionally, the government should enforce laws that benefit business owners. Nigeria has established organizations and initiatives such as the Federal Economic and Employment Program (GEEP), N-Power, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) and You to promote business by supporting SMEs' access to capital and other resources. (Today.ng, 2022). The purpose of all these laws and many others is to promote trade. But the question that immediately arises is: “Are these government directives and policies relevant to all levels of business?” In light of this, the Nigerian government has implemented a number of legislation and initiatives to encourage economic growth and private entrepreneurship as well as to solve issues affecting small businesses and guarantee the survival and expansion of small companies (Bolarin, et al., 2023). Among these is the formulation of MSME legislation in 2007 with the aim of promoting the MSME segment. Programmes have also been implemented by private sector stakeholders to supplement government efforts. The purpose of the evaluation of the 2007 National Policy on MSMEs was to maximise its impact on the development of wealth, the creation of jobs, the