FUEL SUBSIDY MANAGEMENT AND SURVIVAL OF SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANAMBRA STATE FROM THE YEAR 2016- 2024.

Small and Medium Enterprise Scale (SMEs) in Awka South Local Government is stigmatized with the problem of fuel scarcity and high fuel scarcity as employees are not always punctual on the job resulting in prompt or impromptu resignation or dismissal of staff by management. The study ascertained the extent of relationship that exists between subsidy management and survival of small-scale enterprises in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Specific objectives of the studies aimed to determine the extent of relationship that exists between fuel subsidy removal influenced on small scale enterprises; studies investigate the relationship that exists between fuel subsidy removal and survival of small scale enterprises; lastly, the study ascertained the ascertain the effect fuel subsidy removal has on small scale business owners in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The study was anchored on neo liberal theory by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye (1989). The study adopted survey research design and purposive sampling technique was used to select 25 SMEs in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Data were collected from 171 staff with the aid of structured questionnaire and bio data of respondents were presented using simple frequency and percentage tables while data relating to respondent’s responses were analyzed using arithmetic mean while hypothesis one was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and hypotheses two and three were tested using simple regression analysis. Findings revealed that there is significant relationship that exists between fuel subsidy management and survival of small-scale enterprises. The study concluded that fuel subsidy affects the survival of small scal enterprise in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State as it could result in increased productivity or affect turnover negatively depending on the circumstances surrounding turnover intention. The study recommended that there is need to formulate effective subsidy management that would reduce the rate of fuel scarcity and high price on fuel in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.