Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Edo State, are set for cash harvest, as the government has increased the take-off loan from N2billion to N10billion to boost middle income earners and job creators.
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Emmanuel Usoh, disclosed this when at the opening of a meeting of private investors with representatives of Federal Government regulatory agencies, and members of the Edo Export Cluster in Benin-City, to brainstorm on exportation of agro-allied and other non-oil products in Edo state.
In a related development, Usoh said the State Government is ready to create enabling environment to boost the businesses of over about 187 fish farmers operating from Uteh community in Ikoba-Okha local government area of the state.
The Commissioner assured them of government’s support in the area of guaranteeing loans for them, adding that the various investment drives by Governor Godwin Obaseki, are to enable them sell their products and make good money.
But the catfish farmers decried the influx of catfish from neighbouring states, especially Oyo, saying the catfish brought into the state from Ibadan, are sold at reduced prices, thereby making it difficult for them to make profits.
Chairman of the catfish farmers, Franklyn Obamonyi, said it was regrettable that many rich men in Nigeria preferred to eat croaker fish that are imported, instead of catfish that are locally produced.