S’East Has Potential To Drive National Economic Growth, Says Ben Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the South-East region has great potential to drive national and economic development, describing zone as a home to some of the most enterprising individuals and communities in the country, with a rich history of commerce that spans generations.

Kalu stated this while delivering his goodwill message at the launch of the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Enugu State by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, Udora Orizu, on Friday, said the initiative was one of the federal government’s strategies for ease of doing business in Nigeria, with the first, second, third and fourth editions launched in Benue, Ogun, Ekiti and Jigawa States, respectively.

He stated that locating the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Enugu was another proof that the South-East region holds a special place in the administration of President Bola Tinubu as it recognised the region’s potential to drive national economic growth through MSMEs.

The Deputy Speaker also stated that the MSME Hub in Enugu was not just a facility, but a vital and strategic platform that taps into the latent economic power of the South-East.

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Noting that the hub is well-positioned to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity, empowering the hardworking men and women of the region to transform their dreams into successful enterprises, Kalu expressed optimism that it will serve as a center of innovation, providing entrepreneurs with the resources, training, and mentorship they need to scale their businesses.

He commended President Tinubu and the Vice President’s commitment to supporting Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium-Scale Enterprises (NMSMEs), noting that the government’s strategic interventions were directly targeted at removing the obstacles small business owners face, and their efforts has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Kalu also commended the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, for his efforts in prioritising small and medium scale businesses in Enugu, with collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and the State Government.

Speaking further, the Deputy Speaker reiterated the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, towards supporting economic growth and entrepreneurship using legislative instruments.

He said that the parliament was aware that a conducive legislative framework is critical to the success of initiatives such as the MSME Clinics, hence why they have sponsored an adoption of the famous Igbo Apprenticeship System, the Igba-Boi System into a National Apprenticeship Scheme, adding that the bill is currently at a crucial stage of consideration in the House of Representatives.

Kalu said, “I bring you all warm greetings from the Speaker and all the members of the House of Representatives. This event not only symbolizes our collective commitment to the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in Nigeria. Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have witnessed bold steps that are breathing new life into Nigeria’s economy.

“Today, we acknowledge the monumental strides taken with the introduction of various funding schemes tailored to support businesses across the nation. The establishment of three funds totaling N200 billion, including the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), the FGN MSME Intervention Fund, and the FGN Manufacturing Sector Fund, is a testament to President Tinubu’s recognition of the critical role MSMEs play in driving sustainable growth.

“The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), providing financial support to nano business owners with a N50 billion grant, is reaching one million small businesses nationwide. By supporting sectors such as food services, ICT, artisanship, and more, this scheme ensures that even the smallest enterprises are not left behind in the journey toward economic prosperity.

“As we gather here in Enugu for the commissioning of this strategic MSME Hub, we must acknowledge the significance of this location. The South East zone of Nigeria has long been renowned for its entrepreneurship and industrious spirit. It is no secret that this region stands as a beacon of commerce, apprenticeship, and innovation, and establishing this hub is a direct recognition of the entrepreneurial dynamism that flourishes here.”