By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The National President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Dr Abdulrashid Yerima has urged Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration to harness the solid mineral resources in Ebonyi State for the benefit of humanity.
Yerima who made the call on Saturday during the inauguration of the new executive members of NSAME, Ebonyi State chapter at Abakaliki, said: "We want all the abundant solid mineral resources in the state to be harnessed for the benefit of humanity."
He maintained that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Ebonyi must increase and compete with the richest states in Nigeria and even bypass them, assuring Governor Nwifuru of the NASME's readiness to partner with his administration for mutual benefits.
He recalled that in 1995, major stakeholders in the Nigeria economy identified the significant roles of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs in the sustainable development of the country's economy, which necessitated the registration of the NASME as a Business Membership Organization, BMO on 26th March 1996 and was also presented with a certificate by the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
He disclosed that the body's mission remains to promote the empowerment of Nigeria MSMEs as a means of achieving sustainable employment generation, and economic growth in the country.
"NASME vision is to be the voice of Nigeria's Entrepreneur advocating for a conducive business operating environment while partnering with MSME promoters to ensure the emergence of large pools of viable and technologically empowered MSMEs," Yerima added
He affirmed that having a functional NASME chapter in Ebonyi would be of enormous benefit to the government in power and the state in general, as in his words, the entrepreneurs always partake in the mentorship programs of the association both nationally and internationally, as well as marketing the state to investors globally.
While requesting Governor Nwifuru to always give Ebonyi NASME members his listening ears, the National President expressed optimism that the cream of the newly inaugurated executives of the association in the state would bring their experiences and innovative entrepreneurial leadership skills to bear running the organization in the state.
He also encouraged the state government to adopt mechanized farming instead of using outdated agricultural tools and intensive manual labour, to boost food production and the economy in the state.
In his address, the New Chairman of NASME, Ebonyi State chapter, Comrade Joseph Umoke Erishi also commended Governor Nwifuru for assenting to the bill that established Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, EBSMEDA within his 30 days in office, saying the step was an indication that the governor has interest to creating an enabling environment for private sector thrive and flourish.
Erishi thanked the NASME President, Yerima for his doggedness in promoting the country's economy and noted that Ebonyi state being a virgin bride for investors in the East of the Niger would witness rapid industrialization with the crops of vibrant entrepreneurs elected and inaugurated as the state executives of the association.
The NASME State Chairman described Ebonyi as a state blessed with multiple solid mineral resources, which he said, if explored and developed would bring outstanding economic growth, and increase the internally generated revenue, IGR accruing to the state, even both local and national GDP, thus growing the economy generally.
According to him, some of the solid mineral resources were not limited to limestone, lead, zinc, granite, dolomite, pyroclastic, sand, laterite, lignite/coal, and kaolin, among others that all occur in commercial quantities.
He maintained that if the mineral resources were appropriately harnessed and judiciously exploited, they would place Ebonyi State on the map of economic growth in Africa and the world.
"For agricultural products, according to the current statistics available, Ebonyi as the agrarian state is rated 98.6 per cent in crop production in Nigeria. We have a comparative advantage in yam, rice, cassava, oil palm, native cattle (muturu), Okra, ogbono, sesame seed, etc. In addition, we have energetic manpower and average land mass but lack modern agricultural equipment. The topography of our land has positioned us as the next industrial site in Nigeria after Lagos," Erishi added.
He however, requested that Governor Nwifuru assist the NASME members in the state by providing an office space with a hall for their workshop and training, means of mobility; MSMEs funds with single digit interest, accommodate them in MSMES-related programs, tax holidays or reduction and another such as enabling environment for investors.
Meanwhile, Governor Nwifuru ably represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Ofia Nwali said his administration has been encouraging the small business owners in the state and further assured the new executives of working with them.
Nwifuru cautioned them to remain united while contributing their quota for the development of the state.
The Patron of the Ebonyi NASME and State Commissioner for Finance, Leonard Uguru equally advised the new executives of the association to carry all their members along while assuring them of steady support to ensure their welfare is well protected.
The event was massively attended including guests and the members of the NASME national, zonal, and state working committee, with the representatives of the Bank of Agriculture, Industrial Training Fund, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, and Export Promotion Council, among other collaborating organizations who indicated interest in assisting the NASME member to develop their businesses in the state.
