Perm Sec Tasks SME Operators On Commitment

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr Lawson Ikwuru, has tasked the 19 beneficiaries of the  Rivers State COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus (Riv – CARES) to  ensure that what is given to them would be used for the purpose it was given.
Ikwuru said this at the RIV-CARES Programme Result Area Three Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Delivery Platform’s one-day technical session for Digital/E-commerce Integration of Beneficiaries in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
He said there was need for them to know more than they knew at present in order to enable them manage rationally as entrepreneurs.
The Permanent Secretary further charged them to learn how to separate their personal monies from that of business to enable them account properly for their businesses.
“Separate your family money from your business capital.Think long term. Your business money is not your money”, he said.
Ikwuru noted that it was the  desire of the Ministry to see to the growth and sustainability of businesses in the State.
The Tide learnt that the result Area Three is to facilitate recovery of the effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on business operators.
In her response, the Unit Head, Riv-CARES Programme Area Three, Mrs Sally Amieye, congratulated the beneficiaries of the first tranche of the programme for their zeal and determination to remain in business.
According to her,  such was the driving force that has brought them to the climax of the first phase of the programme implementation.
“I will like to use this medium to thank you all for your patience and understanding as we took you through all the processes of qualifications into the RIVCARES RA3 PROGRAM. Thank you indeed,  your perseverance has kept us going”, she said.
She also explained that the digital integration and Entrepreneurship development training was an integral part of the programme implementation.
The Unit Head further urged  the benefitiaries to maximize the opportunity  in order  to give room for others to benefit, saying their progress will propel the State to continue to support the programme.
“We thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State,  Barr Nyesom Wike for keying into this loudable programme of World Bank and Federal Government, in conjunction with Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
“I will also like to sincerely appreciate our principals, The Chairman, State CARES Steering Commitee, the Hon. Commissioner for Fimamce, overseeing Budget and Economic planning, and the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce & Industry”, she said.

By: King Onunwor