Lagos Invests N103bn On Infrastructure To Boost Economy- Sanwo-Olu

Lagos Invests N103bn On Infrastructure To Boost Economy- Sanwo-Olu
…..As Grandma Foods, Goshen Marble, Spectra Brands Shine At Fair
Bright EWULU
Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu has disclosed that his government  invested a total sum of N103billion on infrastructural development to ensure  success of businesses located in Lagos among which are the Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs).
Sanwo-olu made this known through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Jaji,who represented him during  the opening ceremony for the 6th Lagos State organised MSMEs Exclusive Fair Tuesday in Lagos.
He said the state is determined to ensure the survival of MSMEs despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic.
The fair which comes to an end on Sunday attracted
top MSMEs brands such as  Grandma Foods, Goshen marble, Spectra’s Sobake brands among many many others.
Some dignatries  at the opening of the event include: Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Lola Akande,House of Reps member,Prince Bayo Balogun, Chairman House Committee on Commerce,Industry and Cooperatives, Bisi Yusuf, Chairman,National Association of Small Scale,Industries(Lagos State Chapter),Mrs Gertrude Akhimen, President,Association of Food Agro Processors of Nigeria(AFAPN),Duro Kutiyi among others.
According to the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,  the government will continue to give MSMEs the desired support  because of the subsector’s contribution to economic growth in the state.
” MSMEs contribute over 80 per cent of employment globally. But in Nigeria due to the fact that most MSMEs are in the informal sector their value is hardly noticed. ”
She advised that MSMEs need to leverage on technology in order to succeed, and make more contribtion, saying according to recent studies 68 per cent of MSMEs that leveraged on technology are more likely to see growth than their counter-parts.
Prince Balogun in his contribution urged the audience to support the move being made at the National Assembly to remove the issues of security and power(electric power)from the exclusive list,saying that if this was achieve then it would be easier to solve the power predicament bugging the operation of most MSMEs in Nigeria.
Also he enjoined the MSMEs to partner closely with the Lagos State government, especially on the issue of packaging and marketing ,saying that is another area that are problematic for small businesses in the country.
Mrs Udo Stephanie Akwara,CEO,Grandma Foods  in a chat told us the company hopes to avail the opportunities at the MSMEs fair to boost their clientele and create needed awareness ,saying that  their brands are second to non in the Agric value processing chain.
She was grateful about the opportunity offered by the fair and hoped that more opportunities like the Lagos exclusive MSMEs fair is made available to small businesses,saying that its one of the ways that government can use to enable businesses today.
Mr Sam Omole of Lagos Business School in his lecture called on the MSMEs to review their business operation and processes, introduce budgeting in their strategy, deploy information technology as a way of surviving post Covid-19 and to have a business plan.

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