…as 5,545 nano, micro & small-scale businesses to receive operational cost grant
The Kwara NG-CARES For MSMEs has set the ball rolling with the implementation of the 2nd phase of the programme where operational cost grant would be disbursed to 5,545 nano, micro and small-scale businesses in the State.
The GM KWASSIP, Dr. Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini said that the 2nd phase of the programme by the NG-CARES RA3 delivery platform is coming as one of the interventions of succor intended by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak to provide relief, facilitate recovery, and enhance the capabilities of the State MSMEs through support designed to reduce the vulnerability and cushion the effect of income loss brought about by COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant disruption to regular commercial activity.
Dr. Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini, according to a statement issued by the Media Officer, Kwara NG-CARES For MSMEs, Mrs Fatima Issa, thanked the Kwara State Government for constantly including the MSMEs sector of the State in various beneficial programs and for always coming to the aid of vulnerable businesses.
Speaking in the same direction, the Acting Technical Head, Kwara NG-CARES For MSMEs, Mrs Rukayat Yahaya confirmed that NANO businesses category had been introduced to benefit from the 2nd Phase of the programme.
She also said that the 2nd Phase of the programme received a total number of 21,432 applications across the 16 local government areas in the State.
“Our team carefully reviewed all documents by conducting an eligibility criteria vetting process immediately after the applications were received and a total number of 12,032 passed while 9,399 failed”, she explained.
Mrs Rukayat Yahaya emphasized that physical verification is crucial to ensure fairness, authenticity and also confirm the existence of all the 12,032 businesses that passed the eligibility criteria vetting procedure.
“The just concluded physical verification further helps to prevent applicants with no existent businesses from benefitting and ensures that each applicant receives the appropriate grant size based on their business categorization and eligibility”, she added.
Mrs Rukayat Yahaya urged the beneficiaries to utilize the fund received on their business’ operations such as payment of shop/office rent, payment of staff salaries and utility bills.
She said the beneficiaries should not give kickbacks percentage out of the grant received to anybody/officials as facilitation fee because the selected beneficiaries earned the spot by fairly going through all Kwara NG-CARES for MSMEs implementing procedures.
“Please note also that Kwara NG-CARES for MSMEs would not ask for account details or ATM card details from any beneficiary”, she warned.
