NASSI

By Tanko Mohammed

Mrs Getrude Akhimein, Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has appealed for more tax and levy waivers for

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Akhimein made the appeal on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the Lagos State MSMEs Exclusive Fair in Lagos.

The fair has the theme, “MSMEs in the Time of COVID-19: Survival Strategies to Beat the Odds”.

Akhimein said that more waivers were necessary to reduce the hardships that had plagued homes due to the pandemic.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic would go into history books as the most devastating man-made disaster that afflicted humanity in this century.

Akhimien lauded the decision of the government to cancel the payment of tax for MSMEs with a turnover of under N25 million.

She said this would enable businesses reinvest profits, therefore leading to expansion and wealth creation.

The NASSI chairperson appealed for the empowerment of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to provide loans to more MSMEs.

She said that in addition, more grants should be provided for startups to encourage entrepreneurship.

Akhimien urged entrepreneurs to use the period of the pandemic as a time to evaluate, formalise and embrace technology to ensure competitiveness post COVID-19.

She also counselled entrepreneurs on authentic certification by the  appropriate regulatory bodies for consumer confidence, which she said translated to higher business turnover.

“The certification of products should be the priority of all MSMEs, because the product becomes acceptable in the market place allowing for higher turnover.

“I have appealed to NASSI members to take advantage of the opportunity National Agency for Food, Drug Administration  and Control (NAFDAC) has given to register their products at a discounted rate to quickly do so,” she said.