ODSG pledges support for SMEs to reduce hardships
The Ondo State Government has expressed its continuous support for the growth of SMEs to provide a unique opportunity to reduce the hardships they experience, while simultaneously planning for medium and long-term solutions for the economic growth and development of the state
The State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative Services, Mr. Olusegun Aiyerin, made this known at the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2024 celebration, held in Akure over the weekend.
Aiyerin, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Toyin Oni, reiterated that the government is committed to creating and sustaining an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive within the State.
He stated that one of the key agendas of the present administration, “REDEEMED,” is digital revolution and entrepreneurship development to tackle poverty alleviation among the citizens of the State through wealth creation.
He observed notable intervention programs impacting various sectors, particularly highlighting the opening of industrial parks in several senatorial districts across the State.
“Of major significance is the Industrial Park at Ore, where economic activities are booming.
To this end, the State Government has improved and showcased some of our industrialists at Akure Industrial Park to the national level.”
He added that the state would be opening industrial parks in Ondo, Owo, Ikare Akoko, and Okitipupa to scale up economic growth.
On infrastructural development, Aiyerin stated that more rural roads would be opened to bring raw materials closer to our MSMEs in the State.
While listing several credit facilities opened to MSMEs, he mentioned that some of them have been renegotiated at reduced interest rates to make them accessible to investors.
“These loans will no doubt strengthen our businesses to be more productive and put us in a vantage position to compete favorably with our counterparts nationally and globally.”
The Director of Small Scale Industry, Ikuyiminu Temitope, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, noted that it was the first time the state is celebrating the day, which was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate micro, small, and medium enterprises.
He appreciated all stakeholders for attending the occasion, which he said will have a great impact on the development of MSMEs in Ondo State.
Two resource persons, Mr. Victor Olatunde, Founder of Growth Hub, Akure, and Dr. Ariyo Olanrewaju of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), made presentations on the 2024 theme: “Leveraging Power and Resilience of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.”
They urged participants to take their marketing and global visibility more seriously to acquire better knowledge and growth.
They also advised the government to develop proper public relations, as has been done successfully by states like Lagos, to encourage more investors to the State.
“The State currently lacks in terms of entrepreneurs’ capacity, and the government should support them in acquiring the deep level of knowledge needed to compete globally with other businesses,” they affirmed.
