Ambode Asks FG to Strengthen MSMEs

• Ambode Asks FG to Strengthen MSMEs

The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has asked the Federal Government to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the country to create job opportunities and boost the economy.

Ambode spoke on Monday at the opening of the Lagos State edition of the National MSMEs Clinic at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said his government viewed and treated MSMEs across the state as the engine of growth and development.

“The Lagos State Government has always been a trail blazer in entrepreneurship and small enterprise development.

“In time past, little attention was paid to MSMEs. As a result of lack of support and incentives, most small- scale businesses have either collapsed or are operating below their optimum capacity and therefore could not make the expected impact on the economy,” he said.

Ambode urged the participants to take the clinic seriously, saying it would not only create new insights for entrepreneurs, government and agencies, but would also empower the average Nigerian entrepreneur to network and gain knowledge on strategies for creating sustainable wealth.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, said the clinic could transform the fortunes of many businesses, adding that all the Federal Government agencies present were ready to assist entrepreneurs.