A Management Consultant and Transformational Speaker, Chisom Sam-Orji, has applauded the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on his one year in office backed by his efforts in supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in the state, especially with the recently approved grants and loans for SMEs.
The Management Consultant, who said this in a chat with The Tide in Port Harcourt, yesterday, noted that the move  will go a long way in helping the SMEs.
Sam-Orji, who is also the founder of Switch & Propel Innovation Center, as well as The Propel Academy, Port Harcourt, said vibrant SMEs determines the health of the economy of a state and nation at large.
He said the good plans towards SMEs maybe unfolding in stages, “we believe there’s more in the pipeline from the Governor beyond the giving of grants and loans”.
The SMEs guru also called on the Governor to be intentional about creating an enabling environment for SMEs to thrive and flourish in the state.
“There must be a deliberate effort to set up several architectures and structures to see that SMEs in the state have what it takes to compete effectively with their contemporaries across the globe.
“There should be government interventions that enables micro and small businesses to grow, such as enterprise development trainings, tech/innovation and incubation centers as this will help grow the knowledge of entrepreneurs and create more employment opportunities for people of Rivers State.
“Government should also collaborate with other agencies to set up exhibitions and other innovation platforms that will showcase the creative prowess of Rivers entrepreneurs to the world and this should include investment opportunities that the SMEs can take advantage of.
“When an enabling environment is created in Rivers State, the SMEs will be positioned for business success and it will reduce the movement of creative entrepreneurs out of the state to places like Lagos, FCT, and other states, and it will make Rivers State a hub for creatives and SMEs in Nigeria”, he said.
It would be recalled that the Governor just concluded the Rivers State Economic Summit after 11 years, where he said, “Today’s event aims to advance investment opportunities in Rivers State. It provides an opportunity for us to hear from the experts, exchange ideas, raise questions and receive answers to the economic and investment challenges we face as a State.
“With over 40% of fertile cultivable landmass, Rivers State has the potential to make a significant contribution to national food security with commercial investments in mechanised agriculture and the agro-processing industrial value chains.
“Several state-owned but moribund companies, farmlands, and business infrastructure, including oil palm estates, rubber plantations, poultry, and fish farms are available for interested private investors to take over and revitalise”.

Lilian Peters