17,000 people to benefit from Tinubu’s grant scheme in Enugu

By, Chinelo Ude, Enugu 

The Bank of Industry (BOI) on Tuesday said that 17,000 people will benefit from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s conditional grant Scheme (PCGS) in Enugu State.

The Branch Head, Bank of Industry, Enugu, Mrs Anuli Akabuogu disclosed this during a town hall meeting on the presidential conditional grant scheme in Enugu.

Akabuogu said that the Federal Government had various interventions as  BOI was chosen as one the agencies to handle the  intervention programme.

She said that N4.3bn had been disbursed to beneficiaries in Enugu State, adding that there were others that had been enumerated but yet to receive the grant of N50,000 which would be concluded soon.

She explained that the N75bn for Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was another intervention programme of the FG and it was targeted towards reducing the cost of production for the MSMEs.

“This is because we know that the cost of production has really gone high especially with the removal of fuel subsidies,” she said.

Mr Arinze Offia, Head of Enugu Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs) Center said that nine thousand people had benefited from the scheme so far.

Offia added that the scheme was for the 17 local government areas of Enugu, urging others who have not applied to make use of the opportunity and apply immediately.

Also speaking, Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said that the N200bn Presidential Intervention  Fund  comparing the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and Loan Scheme for MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises in the emerging global market was timely.

Okeke represented by Mrs Chukwumuanya Okeagu  said it would create a common market for Africa, especially with the standard harmonisation programme in Africa.

Mr Eberechukwu Ijeomah, Enugu State Manager, Small and Medium- Enterprises of Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) urged the participants to always key into the FG intervention programme so as to benefit as other regions in the country.

Ijeomah advised them to also ask questions about all government programmes in order not to be left out, adding that SMEDAN is always there to help.

The Regional Manager, Access Bank, Mr Daniel Nzeka said that the  PCGS was part of the efforts of the FG to make sure that banks were easily accessible as the bank has various loans for Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs).

Nzeka urged everyone to make maximum use of the opportunity as Access Bank was there to support them in any way.

One of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Mr Okechukwu Uche expressed his joy over the amount he got.

He said he thought it was a  scam at the beginning but after applying, within a short period he got the grant.