Lagos Launches Firm To Gather Data On Legitimate Businesses
 27th AUG 2007

By Ade Bankole

The Lagos State Government has launched a new outfit, Enterprise Registration and Identification Agent (ENTRIDA) to compile raw information and data on all legitimate business enterprises in the state. The event, which saw the registration of a number of youths as members, took place at the Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja. Governor Raji Fashola said data collected will help the state in planning for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in the state.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Prince Adesegun Onirun said: "We shall add value to the information collected and collated by using it to produce a comprehensive Business Directory (Lagos Pages) to market all the legitimate businesses in the state to the international investors." According to him, the programme will be beneficial to the state government and the entrepreneurs in a number of ways.

"The benefits and relevance of this programme are far-reaching. The enumerated enterprise would enjoy free access to micro-credit facilities, and business clinics, capacity business building through information support centres, exposure to export potentials, membership of co-operative and thrift societies, international or foreign business opportunities, women and youth entrepreneurship programme, participation in trade fair, exhibitions, seminars and foreign trade missions among others," he stated.

He said those in the project have undergone training to enable them function effectively.
"All our agents/enumerators have been properly educated and they shall always wear prescribed reflective jackets with the inscription of ENTRIDA as an identity. For ease of administration of data gathering and collection of relevant information, necessary forms and materials required for the task have been provided," he explained. The governor therefore solicited the cooperation of the business community to lend credit to this programme, urging them to co-operate with enumerators as they visit them.

Said he: “They mean well, not harm. Feel free to answer their questions and ask questions to clarify any doubts. The process of economic restructuring is not a one-way traffic. Your direct participation and co­operation is a catalyst to the success of this programme. I am therefore, once again making a passionate appeal to all entrepreneurs in the state to co-operate fully with our agents."

Source: The Nation

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