25 July 2013, Lagos – The Association of Small Business Owners (ASBON) has advised the Federal Government to reduce its seven-p
oint agenda to two. it implored the government to focus on power generation and road construction to grow the economy.
Its President, Mr Femi Egbesola who, made this call during an official visit to the corporate office of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation in Lagos, said ASBON members were worried over epileptic power supply and the poor state of most roads. He urged the three tiers of the goverment to pay attention to these problems because they affect business’ operations.
ASBON members in the hinterland, which included farmers and other artisans, he said, were finding it difficult to bring their products to the cities because of bad roads.
He urged the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions to give ASBON members with soft loan to boost their businesses
The ASBON chief decried a situation where his members were finding it difficult to register their products with the National Agency Food Drug and Administration Control, NAFDAC, because of certain problems.
Although the official amount they have to pay before obtaining their certificate from NAFDAC is less than N60,000, the group alleged that they end up paying over N250,000 because of verification and bureaucracy.
The association also urged the three tiers of government to address the problem of multiple taxation, saying it affects their businesses.
The General Manager, Manpower Training and Development, Mr Soji Omotunde spoke of The Nation’s readiness to assist the group to survive.
In Egbesola’s entourage were the Vice President, Mr George Okoroafor, Ogun State Coordinator Mr Tunji Egberongbe, Vice President Commerce Mr OnumaUfezee, Vice President Import and Export Mr LanreOgunseye, Vice President Services Mr John Nwoko, Vice President Agriculture Mr Stephen Oladipupo, Vice President Industries, Mr KayodeOkanrende, Mrs Eniola Adigun, Chairman, Osun State Chapter Mr SojiAyangbola, AkinyemiModupe is member while AdeyemiAdewale is their manager.
– The Naation
