A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF TIMBER BUSINESS IN ENUGU STATE. A CASE STUDY OF ENUGU TIMBER DEALERS AND SAWERS ASSOCIATION KENYATA

ABSTRACT
The success of any enterprise depends cargely on the effectiveness of its human resources in their work. The need for apprcising the problems and propects of timber Business in Enugu state is apparent. This project therefore is a research on timber business in Enugu state. The problems encountered in timber business is a Kin to any other business and the prospects of the timber business is encouraging. This is because virtually all the things we produce today entails the use of wood.
This work intends to expose the funda mental problems in the timber business and to enable the timber dealers to solve their problems more expenthy lots of finding has been made about the subject matter which includes causes of problem in the business and how better they can be economically manned on completion of this project. it was recommended that if government can create more financial aid to the timber dealers and Sawers association to improve in their production facilities and also government should put into consideration those policies affecting the timber business with these, the future of timber business with these, the future of timber business in Enugu would be brighter. To achieve this, the timber dealers should be given opportunity to practice marketing in a wider range so as to enhance their career prospects.
The work is arranged in five chapters. Chapter one introduction, chapter two, review of related literature, chapter three research design and methodology chapter four data presentation and analysis, chapter five discussion, recommendation and conclusion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page ii
Approval page iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vi
Table of contents viii
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction 1
Background of the study 1
Statement of the problem 3
Purpose of the study 4
Scope of the study 5
Research hypothesis 5
Significance of the study 6
Limitations of the study 7
Definition of terms 8
Reference 9
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review 10
Review of related literature 10
Meaning and needs for timber business 11
Techniques for identifying timber 14
Scope of timber business in Nig. 17
Identification of timber business 20
The process of timber business 20
References 23
CHAPTER THREE
Research Design and Methodology 24
Research design 24
Scope of the study 24
Population of the study 25
Sample and sampling procedure 25
Instruments for data collection 26
Validation of the instrument 26
Reliability of the instrument 27
Method of data collection 27
Method of data analysis 28
References 29
CHAPTER FOUR
Data Presentation and Analysis 30
Presentation and analysis of data 30
Testing of hypothesis 47
Summary of results 49
References 54
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussions, Recommendation & Conclusion 55
Discussions of results / findings 55
Conclusion 56
Implication of the research findings 57
Recommendation 58
Suggestions for further research 59
References 60
Appendix I 61
Appendix ii 62
Bibliography 64

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The twentieth century industrial revelation experience brought along with it technological developments and the expansion of business organization. As the need for individuals continued to increase, business continued satisfy the increasing needs.
Before Nigeria gained her independence, impact substitution was existing then as a means of industrializing our economy.
Based on that our economy is purely based on production of agricultural products this aspect makes the economy to be the sole producer of agricultural inputs which fluctuates seasonally.
Coupled with the fact that we are developing, many business organization spranly up in the economy, many individuals want into industialisation to shape the future of our economy. To mention somefew industries, which includes the timber industry, textile industry, automobile industry.
Because of the problem suffered by developing countries like Nigeria, these industries fale different constrain and problems to date. The timber business has been in existence ever before the birth of Nigeria but for years the classic image of timber business has been regarded as a mere local business run by lliterates and people of lower class in the society. However the timber business deals mainly with woods of all kinds, like opepe, obeche, Nagzonia, machogang, tick, Abora etc.
These various kinds of woods serve as the main resources on which timber business based. It is an indispensable business in the country because of the services it is kndering to the stimulation of the economy is like other business encounters problems which could be social or economical in nature.
Inspite of these problem encountered in the timber business, it has remained the parrot through which our economy is revitalizing today. This is seen in the roles performed by woods in our modern day life. Today, timber business is among the prime enterprises which is contributing to the economic growth and help in alleviating some of the societal problems by providing technological products that enhance human welfare like television magazines (papers) modera day furniture’s to mention a few are produced from wood processing.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Timber business in Enugu today is faced with a lot of problems that like their counter parts in other states of Nigeria. These problems go a coming way to negate its growth and development in the country and there by limiting its potential contributions to the development of the economy. Among such problems are general lack of funds by proprietors of the business and difficulty in raising it due to limited capital. Thus money to keep the business going and expanding are irrefragably a magohandicap there is lack of managerial acumen due to the proprietors limited education and training. A long side of this, it is lack of technological know how. Although there are many of these timber business in existence today, their impact in terms of the ever charily industrialization of the country is still for fetched. They still operate with in the limit of indigenous market research.
The dealers are confused by what is happening to their traditional markets in this fast moving commercial world. The dynamics of the business environment still look to them like a day dream. They are unable to conduct market survey, dwersity their potential target markets and so on.
Above all, the timber business is faced with problems arising from government fiscal and monetary policies. In recent years, the tax climate and the governments business policies have placed serous restraints on the owners and the opportunities available to them.