Ogun gives N1bn grant to SMEs

The Ogun State Government has announced a N1 billion grant for over 1,000 Small and Medium-scale Enterprises to further mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in the sector.

Ogun State Government on Sunday in a statement said that the N1 billion grant was the second phase disbursement for applicants.

The first phase of the grant disbursement under the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme was disbursed in July and had over 1,000 SMEs benefiting from the N120m grant.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr Dapo Okubadejo, who is also the Chairman State CARES Steering Committee, revealing the modalities for accessing the N1bn operational grant for SMEs, said the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration was determined to uplift businesses with the aim of enhancing economic growth and development of the state.

Okubadejo disclosed that the grant was also to help vulnerable, people with physical impediments and business owners who were struggling to survive.

He added that the initiative cut across various sectors of the economy, such as trade, agriculture artisans, among others.

Okubadejo assured that the scheme would be a continuous exercise and that it would cut across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He enjoined the beneficiaries to apply through the designated portal, noting that applicants must have a business outfit in the state which they had been running for not less than three years, belong to a notable association within the state, be a regular taxpayer, and have means of identification.

Okubadejo pointed out that SMEs play an important role in the economy, as they are major contributors to job creation and global economic development.

He noted, “The strides of the present government, particularly in the area of infrastructural development, have continued to attract investors into the state.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Promotion And Facilitation Agency, Ogun Invest, who doubles as the Programme Manager for OG-CARES, Ms Sola Arobieke, urged people to apply and commended the governor for approving the commencement of the second phase of the grant.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairmen, House Committee on Transportation, as well as Industry, Trade and Investment, Daisi Elemide and Bisi Oyedele respectively, noted that various beneficiaries had testified to collecting the grant and applauded the state government for the gesture.

In their separate responses, the Iyaloja of Aseese Market, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Mrs Ganiyat Ogunleye, the representatives of Leather Artisans Association of Nigeria and Community Development Council, Mrs Olabisi Babalola and Mr Rasheed Emilia confirmed that their members had been benefitting from the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government and appreciated him for fulfilling his promises.