The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has commenced disbursement of SURVIVAL FUND and GUARANTEE OFF-TAKE SCHEMES for total of 16,253 MSMEs businesses accounting for a total of 101,567 beneficiaries.
This was disclosed by the Minister of state for Industry Trade and Investment, who doubled as chairperson heading the committee for the program, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum while addressing journalists at press briefing in Abuja.
According to the minister other components of the schemes includes; transport grant, general MSMEs grant and guarantee off-take scheme.
Speaking, Amb Katagum said white list of beneficiaries fully verified for disbursement and payments to the approved block of beneficiaries has commenced and disbursements have been approved for a total of 16,253 MSMEs businesses accounting for a total of 101,567 beneficiaries.
She further explained that N30,000 was paid to each of the 94,696 employees/beneficiaries while N50,000 was paid to each of the 6,871 employees/beneficiaries, stressed that 2.6% of the beneficiaries are people with Special Needs while 43% of the total beneficiaries are women in line with the guidelines on disbursement.
"The disbursements for Payroll Support commenced last week Wednesday 18th November, 2020 and it is ongoing presently across the country. However, due to the inability of some states to meet their targets, the portal will be reopened to accommodate such States.
"Other milestones achieved under this track is the verification for payment of 101,567 beneficiaries sourced from 16,253 businesses as at 17th Nov 2020.
"The distribution of beneficiaries across the country which will see Lagos State taking 25,000, Kano with 17,000, Abia with 16,000 while other states of the federation take 13,000 slots respectively.
In her address the minister spoke on Artisan Track Scheme which she said was implemented in three streams and enumeration of prospective beneficiaries under the first stream (Stream 1) commenced on 1st October 2020 while payments to beneficiaries in the stream has been approved.
"Consequently, 29,000 beneficiaries (artisans) has been approved for payment across the following states: FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Plateau and Delta with total number of 45% female artisans, 50% male artisans and 5% for special needs.
