By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Tuesday, commissioned Federal Government’s state-of-the-art Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Hub for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as well as the newly refurbished State Library Complex housing the hub.
He said the ICT hub is a part of the pledge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support every venture that summons the courage to redefine the future of work, skills, and industries in Nigeria.
The Vice President also commissioned two newly acquired Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets (100-seat capacity each) for use by the state-owned airline – Cally Air.
He further launched the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinics in the state, saying it is part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to bring the Federal Government’s support directly to the doorstep of businesses across the country.
Speaking in Calabar during the launch of the MSME clinic, Senator Shettima announced the disbursement of N250,000 unconditional grants each to outstanding business owners in Cross River State, as part of ongoing efforts to support MSMEs across the country.
VP Shettima drew attention to other interventions under the Tinubu administration such as the creation of a N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund being administered by the Bank of Industry (BoI), and a N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme to support one million nano businesses across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria with grants of N50,000 each, and N75 billion Manufacturers Fund for manufacturers to access up to N1 billion in funding at a 9 percent interest rate.
Noting that at least one manufacturer in Cross River State would have benefited from the N75 billion fund already, the VP said the commitments being made are not just confined to loans and grants, even though they are critical.
Earlier, Governor Ottu said the state government believes in the reforms of the Tinubu administration and is keying into every facet, acknowledging that the administration is “building a formidable economy that will sustain and stand the test of time.”
He also pledged the support of the government and people of Cross River State for the Tinubu administration and its aspirations, while reeling out what his administration is doing to support growth and development of MSMEs across the state.
