By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The Kwara State government has created an agency to drive investments and development in the micro economic sub-sector of the state.
This is done through a bill setting up the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises BMSME, Bill signed into law by the governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The bill has 36 sections and five parts that would seek supports for
MSMEs and improve the business environment in Kwara State.
Signing the bill into law, AbdulRazaq said that the bureau would initiate and articulate ideas for MSME policy thrust in the state, serve as a vanguard and focal point for rural industrialisation, poverty alleviation and eradication, technology acquisition and adaptation, job creation and sustainable livelihood.
He said, “It will promote and facilitate development programmes, instruments and support services to accelerate development, mobilisation, networking and linkage of MSMEs, mobilise internal and external resources, including technical assistance for MSME institutions, and trade associations.”
He added that it would also assist non-governmental organisations, oversee, coordinate and monitor developments in the MSME sub-sector, design, package and promote cottage, MSMS industrial projects.
“The Bureau would also serve as a database, as it is empowered to, among other things, demand for and obtain relevant information, data and reports on activities relating to promotion and development of micro, small and medium scale enterprises from banks, research and development institutions and other support organisations.
“It will also provide industrial extension services to micro, small and medium scale enterprises, fabricators of machinery, and beneficiaries of micro-credit loans.”
The governor added that the law also established a governing board for the Bureau, with its leadership and members drawn from across various sectors and senatorial districts in the state.
The Bill establishing the Bureau had earlier been passed on March 9, 2022, by the Kwara State House of Assembly, KWHA.
