By CHARLES IWUOHA

The South-East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), on Sunday, applauded the Federal Government for drastically reducing cost of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registration nationwide.

The Director-General of SECCIMA, Mr. Nduka Awuregu, made the commendation in Enugu while reacting to the 80 percent reduction in virtual launch of NAFDAC’s MSME Palliative nationwide by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

NAFDAC also recently announced its user-friendly assisted E-Registration, meant to create seamless and internet-based registration of MSME businesses and obtaining of NAFDAC registration number in limited days if all requirements are met.

Awuregu, who is also the Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, said that with the recent Federal Government move through NAFDAC, it had opened massive window of opportunities for MSMEs, entrepreneurs and inventors to spring up in every corner of the country.

According to him, the recent move is in line with the age-long advocacy for MSMEs and entrepreneurs to be able to run small businesses and create jobs seamlessly without cost cumbrances.

“It is a welcome development and very cheering news to the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in the South-East, which the chamber represents.

“This move by the Federal Government will go a very long way to create more jobs, check food insecurity and promote creativity at the grassroots. With this and other government supports, there will be increased manufacturing that would be the bedrock of the highly needed diversification to over adverse effect of COVID-19 pandemic,’’ he said.

The director-general also urged intending and existing entrepreneurs in the South-East to take advantage of the Federal Government palliative and new E-Registration to start or expand their businesses.

“It is a great opportunity for our illustrious sons and daughters in the zone, who are gifted by nature to be good entrepreneurs,” he said.

The Director of Ariesino Honey, Mr. Augustine Igweonu, said that the NAFDAC’s MSME Palliative and internet-based E-Registration would excite most youths to venture into business enterprise.

“I thank the Federal Government for such a laudable move meant to promote MSMEs, business growth and sustainability.

“It is going to provide the leverage for young entrepreneurs to soar and turn the COVID-19 pandemic into a great advantage,” the small scale entrepreneur said.

Earlier, the South-East Director of NAFDAC, Mrs. Olajumoke Ojetokun, said that NAFDAC South-East zonal and state offices were ready to fully implement the new directive meant to further assist in the Ease of Doing Business drive of NAFDAC and Federal Government.

“We are ready to carry out the new directive to the latter and our offices are kept wide open to attend to all inquiries and assist Nigerians. We, NAFDAC staff, deal with people directly here,” Ojetokun said.

Update news