Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Wednesday, restated the commitment of his administration to support entrepreneurship development in the state.
The governor commissioned an office of the Bank of Industry (BOI) situated at the third floor of the 21-storey Dakkada Towers, Udo Udoma Banking Layout in Uyo Wednesday.
Speaking before performing the official opening of the bank, the governor described the event as one of the most business-like events since inception of his administration.
He noted that his administration has resolved to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), as the engine of growth and development.
Expressing delight over the coming of the BOI in the state, Governor Eno said it was a bold move towards realising the lofty goals of the second and fourth aspirations of the ARISE Agenda, which include: job creation, economic prosperity and the promotion of the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom people as well as sustainable economic growth.
He said the presence of the BOI team at the State Executive Council chamber and accommodating them at the sparkling Dakkada Towers in the heart of the state capital, were indications of the premium his administration places on entrepreneurship development.
He lauded the BOI’s role as a premium bank that is dedicated to the task of transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector, supporting SMEs and large enterprises with low interest and long term loans.
Governor Eno who is a seasoned entrepreneur, affirmed the imperative of SMEs as the engines of economic and sustainable growth, adding that the availability of single digit interest loans, which the Bank of Industry provides, will be a catalyst for growth and development in the state.
“As a business man, one of the greatest challenges we had on our balance sheet was interest on loans which sometimes overrides everything you’re doing,” the governor said.
