In enhancing the economic development of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Abia State Governor Alex Otti has assured that his administration would continue to uphold transparency, equity, and inclusiveness.
Receiving a group of Abia NG-Cares SME Grant beneficiaries who came to express their overwhelming joy and appreciation at Government House, Umuahia, Gov Who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, FNSE, expressed delight that “Abia indigenes and residents are good people, hard-working and industrious”.
Continuing, he said, “They need the government’s support to excel further and that is why the current administration ably led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, in keeping with his campaign promise of stimulating the economy through the Ministry of SME and Digital Economy, activated the disbursement of the funds.
“The money is for you to stimulate the economy of the state so you can be a wealth creator and employer of labour. This administration is not discriminatory in the disbursement of the funds as non-Abia indigenes benefitted from the grant”..
The Governor advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money for scalable growth and sustainable development of their various businesses.
In his speech, the Commissioner for SME and Digital Economy, Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe described Governor Otti as “an SME-loving Governor who is eager to transform the state’s SME and Digital Economy ecosystem. It will also interest you to know that Governor Otti has the interest of every Abia indigene and resident at heart. He is currently transforming SMEs from wealth seekers to wealth creators. We are making it real in doing what government is supposed to do for the people and we expect you to maximize the opportunity diligently”.
He assured that more grant schemes will be rolled out before the end of the year.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the beneficiaries and Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Aba, Comrade Ozoekwe Chikadibia expressed delight at Governor Otti’s gesture in improving the life and business condition of the beneficiaries. He prayed for divine wisdom and good health for the Governor, his Deputy, and all political officeholders in this political dispensation.