…says gov’t BUP targets 2,000 business owners
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, is taking bold steps to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the MORE Biz-up Business Upscale programme meant to support entrepreneurs in the State.
Through the More Biz-Up initiative, the state government aims to provide funds to 2,000 verified business owners, boosting the state’s economy, creating more jobs that would strategically position Delta as the nation’s number one commercial hub.
Chief Job Creation Officer, Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Comrade Ifeanyi Michael Egwunyenga gave the assurance on Wednesday, while speaking as guest of Orientation Panorama on Voice of Delta FM Radio Asaba, saying that the state government will continue to support SMEs to cushion the effects of economic hardship threatening their survival.
He encouraged young entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply online at www.deltastatemorebizup.net, pointing out that the program aims to provide equal opportunity for all Deltans, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliation.
According to Comrade Egwunyenga, by supporting SMEs, Governor Oborevwori recognizes the significant role they play in job creation and economic growth, which is why he’s helping SMEs to overcome challenges posed by macro-economic policies and interest rates, assuring that the Job Creation Bureau is committed to creating more jobs and wealth through government financial assistance and technical support to entrepreneurs.
The State Chief Job Creation Officer disclosed that eligible entrepreneurs must have Voter’s Card or National Identification Number, NIN, have a business located in Delta State, and duly registered business with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, as well as an active business account with any commercial bank in Nigeria.
He urged small and medium business owners to take advantage of the ongoing online application, so as to benefit from the Programme, adding that the portal which opened on the 28th day of October will close on 1st November, 2024, emphasizing that applicants must be between age 21 and 45 years.
Egwunyenga assured that the Wealth and Job Creation Bureau will introduce more empowerment programmes in the near future, but that the ongoing More Biz-Up business upscale initiative captured the following business categories; Information & Communication Technologies, Computer and Smart Phone Maintenance, and Building & Construction Services including Aluminium Profiling, POP, Interlocking, Tiling, Welding & Fabrication, Electrical & Solar Installation.
Other categories of small business to benefit from the first phase of the Programme are; Handicrafts – Fashion Design, Leather Works, Furniture/Woodwork, Hair Dressing/Makeover, Event Management, Catering & Confectionery, Industrial Cleaning, Audio-visual Services; Cinematography, Photography and Graphics Design.
“Online application for the MORE Biz-up Business Upscale Programme commenced on 28th October to close on November 1, 2024.
“The state government is targeting 2,000 entrepreneurs between age 21 and 45 years old. This age bracket is very active. They are our target and other age brackets may be captured in subsequent empowerment programmes.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is driving the process, and he emphasized the need for transparency that provides equal opportunity for all Deltans, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.
“We have put strategies in place to ensure that only those who are currently doing business with performance promise are selected to benefit from the MORE Biz-up Business Upscale initiative of the governor.
“Times are hard and governor Oborevwori clearly understands the harsh economic conditions faced by small business owners. This programme is to ensure that they remain in business, make significant progress, because the state government and people stand to benefit when businesses thrive.
“As a Bureau, we are fully prepared to deliver, serve the good people of Delta State by creating more jobs and wealth through deliberate financial assistance and technical support to visionary entrepreneurs in Delta State,” Comrade Egwunyenga assured.
