Governor Seriake Dickson on Monday said, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Bayelsa State Government and the Bank of Industry was a part of efforts to raise the N10 billion entrepreneurship development fund to create wealth for small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state.

Dickson, who made the disclosure during the signing of the MOU between the state government and the management of the BoI in Government House, Yenagoa, stressed that, small and medium scale enterprises will drive and form the nucleus of the proposed industrial take off of the state.

According to him, the state government for the first time created the Izon Ibe Micro-finance Bank to address the challenges of funding for those, who are in dire need of funds, as well as the creation of entrepreneurship development school to train and prepare people to manage enterprises of their own.

He said: “This government is taking a comprehensive review of the workforce in the state to launch the employee to employer programme and that is why we are very happy with the memorandum of understanding we have just signed today.

“This MOU is our effort to create the N10 billion entrepreneurship development fund our government promised in our budget speech. This N10billion will be used to give loans and grant facilities to start businesses”

While appreciating the support of the Bank of Industry to the state, Governor Dickson called on federal agencies to lend their support to the state, as it needs every support to develop, adding that, it will create wealth, promote peace and prosperity in our country.

In his remarks, the Ag. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju assured Governor Dickson of the bank’s preparedness to work with the enterprises development agency, in identifying potentially viable micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the state.

The Ag. MD/CEO noted that, the bank was glad that, the state government is developing the capacity of Bayelsans, stressing that, the ongoing efforts of the government, informed the decision of the bank to partner with state administration in ensuring the building of business models for the local entrepreneurs.

He noted with delight that, during the Bayelsa investment forum in 2014, there was a huge exhibition of aquatic and agricultural produce, which value could be added, stressing that, the local areas that have comparative advantage will translate to competitive advantage.

•Photo shows Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre), assisted by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah retd., (2nd left) and the Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Investment, Barr. Kemela Okara (left) presenting a draft of the sum of one billion naira to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju (2ndright) signifying the State Government's commitment to the counterpart funding aspect of the MOU with the Bank at Government House Yenagoa, while the Executive Director, Corporate Services/Commercial, Bank of Industry, Mr. Jonathan Tobin (right) look on. Photo by Lucky Francis.

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