Kwara commits N2.25bn to SMEs’ capacity development

Julius Babatunde Agboola, Kwara State commissioner for commerce and cooperatives, has said that the state government has injected over N2.25 billion in strengthening the capacity of SMEs since inception and is deeply committed to the direction with yearly budget of N500 million.

Speaking at the 3rd annual meeting of Kwara State Coalition of Business and Professional Association (KWACOBPA), Agboola, who represented Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, said his ministry is in good relationship with federal agencies such as Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Federal Inland Revenue Services and others geared towards ease of doing business.

He said this is confirmed by the recent rating of Kwara State as 2nd best state in Nigeria in the area of micro ,small and medium enterprises(MSMEs) development.

Agboola challenged the association and private sector drivers to come up with suggestions to move and drive the state economy to its desired end.

On his part, H.O Adediji, chairman of KWACOBPA , suggested that Federal government can boost economy by pursuing efficient business policies that enhance development.

Adediji said poor policy implementations are hampering growth in the economy.

“Inefficient policy implementation is what is hindering economic development in our country. The economy is harsh, most of the things we are seeing are not what we bargained for.

“Banks are harsh on people, no cash-flow, and it takes the grace of God for every business man to survive in the country,” he said.

“What we are clamouring for is that economy lies on generality of Nigeria and everyone should be part of it in order to move forward economically and socially,” he said.

“People in the ministry, for instance, should not be in charge of implementing business policy. Government will come up with good policies but the truth of the matter is implementing those policies,” he stated.

“So, when you’re talking about industry, the people in industry must be there. When you are talking of agriculture, people of agriculture must be there. Farmers have to be involved in implementation of agricultural policies.”

Adediji acknowledged the support of Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Washington DC as he even assured the coalition’s commitment towards continuous growth.

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin