The small and medium business entrepreneurs who have been verified to receive grant from the Delta state government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry have commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the opportunity to recover their business through the Delta cares programme.
The beneficiaries who cut across the 25 local government areas of the state said they have benefited from the state empowerment programmes, such as YAGP, STEP and GEST ( Girl Child Entrepreneurship and Skill Training) among others, saying that the grant would go a long way to scale up their businesses.
The MSMEs noted the devastating impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses, adding that the business support was apt and would obviously boost their businesses in the state.
They promised to use the money for the purpose it was given, while others who were not enlisted were hopeful.
The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA), Honourable Orezi Esievo said the robust and strategic collaboration between the state government, Bank of Industry and World Bank was geared towards the development of MSMEs across the state.
Honourable Esievo, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. Austin Inaya, said the business support measures would be implemented.
She added that DEMSMA would continue to support owners of MSMEs, while monitoring and evaluation will not be compromised for the sector to thrive.
The former lawmaker advised them to put their money into their business to reciprocate the governor’s commitment to MSMEs and urged those who have not been enlisted to wait for other batches, as the programme would last for thirty months.
The Director of Administration, DEMSMA, Mr. Abel Ageh, on his part lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s commitment at empowering Delta youths to be self sufficient and employers of labour.
He advised the youths to avail themselves the various training acquisition of skills currently running in the state.
The leader of the BOI team, in charge of Growth and Field Operations handling the verification exercise, Mr. Goodness Adewale, commended the MSMEs for their orderliness, and the state government for recognizing the economic importance of the sector giving it appropriate attention.
About one hundred and twelve MSMEs were present at the Warri South, Jesse and Orerokpe enumeration centres, accommodating Sapele, Mosogar, Oghara, Warri South-West, South and North, Ughelli South and North.
