FG launches survival fund for 333,000 artisans, each person to get 30,000 grant

Following the successful launch on September 21 of the MSMEs Survival Fund, the federal government has announced the next implementation stage with the official launch of the Artisans’ Support Scheme on Thursday, on October 1, Independence Day.

This was disclosed in a statement sent to Legit.ng by the Project Delivery Office, MSMEs Survival Fund & Guaranteed Offtake Schemes on Friday, October 2, 2020.

Under the scheme, 333,000 artisans and transport business operators across the country will get a one-time operations grant of N30,000 per beneficiary to reduce the effects of income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, of which there will 9,009 beneficiaries per state.

The scheme is expected to roll out in three two-week sprints and target implementation across the country in three streams.

Clusters of artisans/transporters’ associations and unions to be considered as beneficiaries are to be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Artisan clusters already identified for the grant include mechanics, barbers, hairstylists, bricklayers, tailors, plumbers, carpenters’ associations/unions with representations across all the states.

The minister of state, for industry, trade and investment, and chairperson of the steering committee, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, who formally launched the scheme, stated that the survival fund is meant to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs.

In his remarks, the special assistant to the president on MSMEs, Mr Tola Johnson, who is also the project coordinator, stated that the federal government is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of artisans, adding that the grants would be paid directly into beneficiaries’ accounts.