MSMEs crucial for job creation, nations growth – FG

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government on Monday reiterated the important role Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in ensuring job creation and national development.

Amb. Nura Rimi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this while receiving Implementation Strategies document towards job creation and lifting people out of extreme poverty in Abuja.

“World over, nations have continued to depend on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for the bulk of the employment needs of their citizenry.

“Nigeria is not an exception if it must grow its economy sustainably.

“This, therefore, is a deliberate effort by the government and all stakeholders to provide the enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive in a sustainable manner.

“To reinforce this position, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as part of this programme will be distributing some skills acquisition items to selected beneficiaries,” he said.

According to the permanent secretary, the items will empower them to create wealth for their households and contribute to the national economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items include inverter welding machines, vulcanising machines, industrial sewing machines and hairdressing kits.

About 80 beneficiaries from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) with various skills were present to receive the items.

The permanent secretary officially received the Implementation Strategy Document towards creating jobs and lifting people out of extreme poverty from the consultant, Myris International Ltd.

According to Rimi, this initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to maximise the contribution of the MSMEs to the national economy.

He said the agenda aimed at proposing efficient measures for job creation and poverty alleviation through the promotion of the development of MSMEs.

He said: “in the coming days, the Ministry will be engaging with the relevant stakeholders identified in the Strategy Document to ensure that the potential employment and wealth creation loops are activated.

“To guarantee timely delivery of jobs through MSMEs. Moreover, the employment being anticipated by this strategy document and being pursued vigorously by the ministry include but are not limited to skilled and informal sector-based.”

Similarly, the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni, who said the event was timely, reiterated the importance of MSMEs in national growth and development.

Ayeni urged other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to cue into such initiative to empower small businesses in the country.

“We should begin to see how we can also contribute our quota for the benefit of the country,” she said.

Mrs Gertrude Orji, the Director, Investment Promotion Department at the ministry, said the aim of the programme was to lift many Nigerians out of poverty.

She said empowering MSMEs, that are the drivers of economy, would drive economic activities, promote trade and investment and as well boost income of the country.

According to her, about one million Nigerians cut across the 36 states of the Federation and FCT will be empowered in the programme.

Responding, the NASME president, Abdulrashid Yerima, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the ministry, and NEPC for empowering its members with the items.

Yerima, represented by the Chairman Benue State Chapter of NASME, Gaddafi Asemanya , urged other MDAs to take a cue and do likewise for inclusivity and national development.

He pledged the commitment of its members to properly utilise the items in the best way possible to take many of its women prostituting off the streets and boost the economy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams