FG to Establish Shared Facilities in All States to Boost MSMEs

* Opens portal for 5th national awards   

James Emejo

The federal government said it planned to establish at least one Shared Facility for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in every state of the federation.
The Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs, Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson, disclosed this at a media briefing to announce activities for the 5th National MSME Awards, slated for June 27 to commemorate the 2022 World MSME Day.
The portal for applications opened last week and will close on June 12.
However, Johnson said five shared facilities are currently in operation  adding that three additional facilities would be commissioned within the next six weeks in Kebbi, Kaduna and Ebonyi .
He added that the plan of the current administration is to commission a total of eight Shared Facilities by the end of 2022.
Essentially, the shared facilities scheme is a fall-out of the activities of the National MSME Clinics which was introduced to help improve engagements between government and MSMEs in the country.
Over 1,500 micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, are to benefit directly from the Nigerian government’s shared facility scheme.
The project will provide MSMEs with affordable shared access to essential amenities such as power, high quality operating equipment, broadband connectivity as government works to reduce the cost of operation of these small businesses across the country.
Two of the facilities have been established in Bauchi and Oyo state respectively to cater for the fashion industry, production of shea-butter, soap making and ground-oil milling.
The presidential aide added that over 600,000 SMEs across the country have taken part in the MSME Clinics stressed that the initiative has had tremendous impact on small businesses.
He said in line with agenda of the Buhari administration, the office of the vice president had over the years supported the growth of small businesses across the country by empowering and rewarding excellence in the MSME space in Nigeria.
 One of such MSME targeted interventions is the National MSME Clinics birthed in 2017.
He said maiden edition of the clinics held in Aba, Abia State in 2017 adding that since then, the clinics have held in 30 States with the vice president attending 28 of them.
According to Johnson, “This initiative has undoubtedly been impactful, specifically with the number of businesses that have directly benefited. Out of the Clinics emerged initiatives such as the MSME One-Stop Shop, the Shared Facility Initiative and the National MSMEs Awards.
“The National MSME Awards was conceived in 2018 to reward excellence, hard work and innovation in the MSME space. The initiative has impacted thousands directly and indirectly, inspiring prospective business owners to strive for excellence.”
According to him, 10 outstanding MSMEs in different categories will receive 10 cars and other prizes at the 2022 edition scheduled to hold next month.
 He said, “It is open to every person and there are no limitations. The only thing is that it has to be indigenous and the local content must be satisfied. Because you’re not going to take something from outside and couple it and tell us you’re the owner.
” We are making sure that this is our own and we can beat our chest and say this is truly Nigerian and that it reaches a level that it is competitive with any other product.
“If you have this kind of product and you are a Nigerian doing this kind of beautiful thing, the clinic is ready to book you for an award.

The categories for this year’s awards include, MSME Award of Excellence in Agriculture, MSME Award of Excellence in Beauty, Wellness and Cosmetics, MSME Award of Excellence in Creative Arts
MSME Award of Excellence in Fashion and Style  and MSME Award of Excellence in Leather Works among others.