Anambra begins disbursement of N2b SMEs fund

• Industrialist tasks Buhari on power sector

BUSINESS-MINDED indigenes of Anambra State should take full advantage of the state’s business agency (ASBA) to expand their businesses beyond their present levels, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uju Nworgu, has said.

The recently inaugurated agency, she noted, has commenced the disbursement of N2 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) development fund domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and can be accessed by private enterprise operators and those with genuine business concepts but facing funding problems.

She disclosed that the state has met the relevant statutory requirements for accessing the loan and that Governor Willie Obiano established the agency to superintend small businesses in the state, create employment and wealth opportunities for people.

Prospective beneficiaries who applied through commercial banks in the state under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) could access up to N50 million, while applications processed by microfinance banks under the micro enterprises scheme would access any amount not exceeding N5 million.

Meanwhile, an Onitsha-based industrialist and Managing Director of APAMS Funeral Undertakers, Kevin Chukwumaobi, has urged Ndigbo to join President Mohammadu Buhari to rebuild the country.

Chukwumaobi said in Onitsha that what the President needs now is complete support from Nigerians to make good governance possible. He regretted the lingering electricity crisis and urged President Buhari to pursue constant electricity and regular supply of petroleum products as he promised during his campaign.

He called on government to urgently reorganise the power sector so that entreprenuers could boost employment and improve the economy.