WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SMES FOR SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT SAYS GOVERNOR WIKE
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that his administration will continue to support Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) for the sustained growth of the state’s economy.
He also called on politicians to work towards developing their respective communities instead of perpetually playing politics.
Speaking when he granted audience to the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday evening , Governor Wike noted that his administration has already worked with the CBN to support SMEs through grants.
He said: “As a state government we have taken steps to support and improve SMEs in the state . Everything will be done to encourage entrepreneurship through legislation.”
“Support for SMEs will empower more people and create jobs that will sustain a greater percentage of our people. We will continue to invest in SMEs”.
The governor charged all politicians in leadership positions to use their offices to impact the lives of the people.
He said: “Party is a mere vehicle to attaining office. Once elections are over, let us focus on projects delivery . Whatever you are doing, do it for the people”.
The governor regretted that due to politics, the CBN has been starving Rivers State economy of funds.
Governor Wike condemned the deliberate plots to rig the 2019 elections, pointing out that the election manipulators will be resisted.
According to him, insecurity grew across the country because the Federal Government preferred to play politics with security challenges in Rivers State.
He commended the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency and the Central Bank of Nigeria for coming to the state for their retreat, saying that they have emulated other groups who found the state a worthy host of important events.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Mr Jones Onyereri said that the retreat is necessary to forge a formidable front to build a framework that will grow the middle class.
He noted that the right steps have been taken to build SMEs which are necessary to empower the people and create jobs.
Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Suleiman Baro said the essence of the retreat is to facilitate the oversight function of the National Assembly.
He said that the CBN will continue to work with the National Assembly to strengthen the fiscal and monetary framework for the economic development of the country.
