2ND PHASE OF DAPO ABIODUN'S N1BN GRANT TO MSEs HOLDS TODAY

 2ND PHASE OF DAPO ABIODUN'S N1BN GRANT TO MSEs HOLDS TODAY

          The Ogun State Government will hold the second phase of the disbursement of the N1 billion grant to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) as well as a stakeholders’ engagement session for legitimate business owners in the Ogun Central Senatorial District at the Obas’ Complex Hall, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, today Tuesday, November 21, 2023, by 10: 00 am.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment and a member of the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OGUN CARES) Steering Committee, Mr. Adebola Sofela, indicated that Governor Dapo Abiodun had directed the immediate disbursement of the grant to beneficiaries.

          Mr. Sofela said the initiative aims at alleviating poverty and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in the State, adding that the objective of the stakeholders’ engagement session is to provide participants with information about the application process and criteria for eligibility.

          The Commissioner noted that the date and time for the engagement sessions in Ogun West and East Senatorial Districts would be communicated at a later date.

          He said over N120 million was disbursed by the State government to more than 1,000 Micro and Small Entrepreneurs across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State in the first batch of the grant, with the beneficiaries expressing their gratitude in an appreciation letter addressed to the Governor.

          "We believe that this grant will provide much-needed relief to businesses in our State. We appreciate your continued support and encourage you to stay informed about future updates regarding the disbursement process", Sofela added.

The Commissioner stated that representatives of benefiting Trade Associations including the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Artisans Groups, and Market Men and Women, all commended the Governor for his support during the challenging time, as they highlighted the significant increase in operational expenses and the struggle to pay workers' salaries, as well as the costs of operational gadgets, utilities, and renting shops.

         

OGIS.