Covid-19’s Socio-Economic Impact On Small and Medium Enterprises and Household Income in Enugu State, Nigeria: The Political Economy Perspective (Published)
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the world economy and brought about a new normal; among other things, businesses suffered a setback, with household incomes decreasing as a result of job losses and company closures. The main objective of the study is to examine how COVID-19 has affected small and medium-sized companies in Enugu State from a socioeconomic perspective and how that has affected household income. Both primary and secondary sources were employed to gather the data. Small- and medium-sized business owners as well as households in the Enugu metropolitan area received hundred (100) surveys. A percentage and frequency table was then used to assess the data that had been gathered. The results show how the COVID-19 epidemic has impacted consumers’ short- and medium-term purchasing power as shown by the rise in demand for critical commodities at the expense of non-essentials due to panic buying. Second, SME operators have a sizable problem as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic-related fall in crude oil prices and the country’s currency’s subsequent depreciation. Thirdly, the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to operate is harmed and/or they have severe liquidity issues as a result of a steep and rapid decline in demand and revenue. Consumers also experience loss of income, fear of the disease spreading, and greater uncertainty, all of which have a negative impact on their spending and consumption. The study found that by ensuring investment and providing relief to households, the government and big businesses should maintain acting to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and household income.
Keywords: COVID-19, Political Economy, Socioeconomics, and household income, small and medium businesses
The Species Composition and Diversity of the Coastal Waters of Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
A study of the socioeconomic status of the fisherfolks of Badagry coastal waters as well as species composition, distribution and diversity of the coastal waters was conducted for 12 months (January 2014-December 2014 ) in Badagry Local government area using two purposively selected prominent fish landing sites of Yovoyan and Gberefu and monthly sampling of catches revealed the presence of 64 species from 39 families in Badagry coastal waters of Lagos State, Nigeria. Eight of the 64 species which were predominant include Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Trachinotus goreensis, Tilapia zilli, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Polydactylus quadrifilis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Pomadasy jubelini and Sphyraena piscatorum in the coastal waters of Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria . The eight most predominant fish families in terms of number were Scianidae (10.4%), followed by Carangidae (9.02%), Cichlidae (8.6%), Polynemidae (7.7%), Pomadasidae (6.7%), Clupeidae (5.2%), Claroteidae (4.1%), Sphyraenidae (3.53%) and others (44.8%). Gberefu lagoon waters was richer in species than Yovoyan marine water front. Lausanne Index of Abundance recorded for Badagry coastal waters was 94.0 while Margalef’s index (a measure of species richness) was 8.03. A high level of heterogeneity of stock was observed as revealed by Simpson Index of 0.018 recorded. The value of Diversity indices such as Jaccard,s coefficient calculated to be 0.88 showed there was great similarity in species composition between Gberefu and Yovoyan. Shannon-Weiner Index of general Diversity (Hi) value was 0.33 showing dominance of some species in the coastal waters of Badagry. Evenness Index (E) of 0.082 showed all the species were not equally abundant in the waters. The author recommends the need to protect the existing stock especially the monospecific families like the Osteoglosidae and Gymnarchidae through regular monitoring of the physicochemical parameters of the coastal waters which are highly susceptible to industrial pollution, Lagos State being a highly industrialised State. More funds should be committed by the government to researches on population dynamics and biomass estimate of our coastal waters.
Keywords: Coastal, Diversity Indices, Predominant., Socioeconomics, Species Composition
The Species Composition and Diversity of the Coastal Waters of Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
A study of the socioeconomic status of the fisherfolks of Badagry coastal waters as well as species composition, distribution and diversity of the coastal waters was conducted for 12 months (January 2014-December 2014 ) in Badagry Local government area using two purposively selected prominent fish landing sites of Yovoyan and Gberefu and monthly sampling of catches revealed the presence of 64 species from 39 families in Badagry coastal waters of Lagos State, Nigeria. Eight of the 64 species which were predominant include Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Trachinotus goreensis, Tilapia zilli, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Polydactylus quadrifilis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Pomadasy jubelini and Sphyraena piscatorum in the coastal waters of Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria . The eight most predominant fish families in terms of number were Scianidae (10.4%), followed by Carangidae (9.02%), Cichlidae (8.6%), Polynemidae (7.7%), Pomadasidae (6.7%), Clupeidae (5.2%), Claroteidae (4.1%), Sphyraenidae (3.53%) and others (44.8%). Gberefu lagoon waters was richer in species than Yovoyan marine water front. Lausanne Index of Abundance recorded for Badagry coastal waters was 94.0 while Margalef’s index ( a measure of species richness) was 8.03. A high level of heterogeneity of stock was observed as revealed by Simpson Index of 0.018 recorded. The value of Diversity indices such as Jaccard,s coefficient calculated to be 0.88 showed there was great similarity in species composition between Gberefu and Yovoyan. Shannon-Weiner Index of general Diversity (Hi) value was 0.33 showing dominance of some species in the coastal waters of Badagry. Evenness Index (E) of 0.082 showed all the species were not equally abundant in the waters. The author recommends the need to protect the existing stock especially the monospecific families like the Osteoglosidae and Gymnarchidae through regular monitoring of the physicochemical parameters of the coastal waters which are highly susceptible to industrial pollution, Lagos State being a highly industrialised State. More funds should be committed by the government to researches on population dynamics and biomass estimate of our coastal waters.
Keywords: Coastal, Diversity Indices, Predominant., Socioeconomics, Species Composition
