Akwa Ibom government has pledged its support to small business operators as part of efforts to grow entrepreneurship in the state.
Imeh Uwah, senior special assistant to the governor on microfinance and enterprise development, stated this during the presentation of certificates of business name registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to small business operators in Uyo, the state capital.
Speaking at the event, tagged ‘My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme’, Uwah commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for giving priority to enterprise development in the state which he said goes in line with the Dakkada philosophy that encourages enterprise and industrious spirit amongst the citizens.
He said the governor was genuinely interested in bettering the lots of entrepreneurs and business owners as part of the state government completion agenda.
Uwah congratulated the first batch of beneficiaries on the successful registration of their business names, stating that as part of the benefits of the programme, the centre offers continued financial assistance for business name registrations.
He pledged to continue sustaining the collaboration with other inter-governmental agencies to make doing business easy for participants in Uyo.
According to him, a financial Service desk has already been set up to assist entrepreneurs go through processes of applying for loans and grants from donor agencies, ranging from preparation of business plans, marketing plans and other necessary regulatory certifications.
Earlier, in her remarks, the state coordinator, small and medium enterprises development agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Lucy Ekpenyong thanked the governor for initiating the MEGP for businesses in Akwa Ibom. Ekpenyong said the gesture will help the businesses access facilities available.
The SMEDAN boss, however, decried the poor response by business owners to the call for business name registration, urging them to be more responsive next time such opportunities arise.
Beneficiaries of the MEGP who took turns to speak were full of praise for the Udom Emmanuel ladministration, describing it as an enterprise-friendly.
They also thanked the SSA on microfinance and enterprise development for ensuring that true entrepreneurs benefit from such government gestures.
Aniefiok Udonquak, Uyo
