The Managing Director of Kogi Enterprise Development Agency KEDA, Hajia Rekiya Onaivo Sanni says the agency is committed to enhancing the capacities of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
in the State.
The Managing Director made the disclosure at a breakfast chat with Journalists as part of activities to mark it two years of operation, assured that the people of the state have not seen nothing yet, disclosing that KEDA is committed to fostering the growth of MSMEs in the State.
She disclosed that having hit the ground running after its inception, the people of the state would in a couple of days begin to feel the impact of the agency in there businesses.
The Managing Director described MSMEs as the engine of growth of any economy, said they contribute 75% of any economy, reason why Kogi State has placed priority in support to MSMEs.
Hajiya Rekiya Onaivo Sanni disclosed that KEDA is concerned about the well-being of small holder farmers in the State, expressed optimism that with the programs developed for the farmers in the State by the agency, small holder farmers she pointed have now been formed into clusters through cooperative societies.
She pointed out that the agency has developed tailor made approaches that would enable the agency relate with associations and groups, said the agency has thus far registered 20000 named that have already been formed into clusters.
She disclosed that the agency is presently at the level of seeking partnership to support MSMEs, assured of affordable loans that would assist there businesses at one digit interest.
The Managing Director disclosed that with the support of KEDA, Kogi State now has a council in place to ease doing business, explained that it has already been launched in the State.
She equally added that the agency has designed result base programs for products towards accessing a N750million loan for MSMEs in the State.
With the coming on board of KEDA, the Managing Director disclosed that through the agency, several aspect that would ease doing business, generating revenue and in the land use act m, has also been created, pointed out that the efforts to create a one stop shop for MSMEs is underway in the State.
She further disclosed of efforts through an MSMEs clinic to support businesses with start up capital, expressed optimism that the State through the agency is set to empower 400,000 businesses through ICT, rent and other support in the State.
Through partnership with Mentor Box Foundation, KEDA, the Managing Director, she disclosed is due to empower another 2500 businesses, said the successes thus far recorded by the agency would not have been made possible without the support of Gov. Yahaya Bello.
She advised MSMEs in the State to take the advantage offered by KEDA to register there businesses so as to enjoy tax rebate and free moritorium, disclosing that the State has greatly supported businesses in the areas of tax consideration and other waivers.
While pointing out that women, youths and people with disabilities have enjoyed priority in support to doing business, disclosed that under the NG-Cares program men have been allotted 40%, women 40%, youths 10% PWD and youths 10% to support businesses, a feat she maintained would further position MSMEs in the State.
The Breakfast chat with the media was attended by Mr. Akin John Akinola, ED Operations and Mr. Usman Zubair, ED Admin/Finance.