SMEs: Chamber tasks Federal Government on enabling environment

June 22, 2018

The Forum of South South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCCIMA) has urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in the country.
The President of FOSSCCIMA, Mr Emma Avworo, made the call on Friday at the investiture of the new executive of the association in Warri, Delta.
Speaking with newsmen, Avworo said, “government has no business in doing business; all it needs is to create the necessary infrastructure like electricity and good road among others for businesses to thrive.
“Government cannot run business properly but individuals because of the determination and zeal to make profit will ensure that the business is well managed.
“So government should provide infrastructure and we will do the rest,” he said.
Avworo, who is also the president of the Delta Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), said most small scale businesses failed because the operators lacked basic business ideas.
According to him, most business operators do not know how to manage their income.
“Most small scale businesses fail because the operators assumed business is part of their pocket so they can spend their income the way they like.
“When you separate the business from yourself, the business grows, but when you start spending the money, of course, in a short while the business dies,” he said.
Avworo said FOSSCCIMA, a Coalition of South South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, was established in 2009.
He said its aim was to grow members’ businesses and also speak with one voice on issues that concerned the members.
“We train and mentor our people on how to run their businesses professionally, attract developmental funding from Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to members.
“We also educate them on how to access funds to resuscitate their trade,” he said.