Federal Government says over 490,000 people benefitted from its Payroll support scheme during the height of COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in addition to the 82,000 who were enrolled under the MSME Grants track and over 390,000 artisans and transport workers.
The Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs and project coordinator, MSME Survival Fund, Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson stated this at a town hall for beneficiaries of the interventions in Abuja.
He said the interventions which were implemented under five tracks proved critical in helping the beneficiaries stay afloat during the pandemic as well as sustaining the livelihoods of vulnerable MSMEs.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajya Maryam Katagum said in the North Central zone, over twelve point one billion naira was disbursed to MSMEs covering the six states and the FCT.
She however expressed dismay that over 19,000 producers under the guaranteed off-taker scheme failed to deliver on the items they were engaged to produce after receiving a thirty percent upfront payment from the Government.
The Minister appreciated all the stakeholders who contributed to making the program a success and urged the MSMEs to remain resolute in their commitment to self-improvement and contribution to the national economy.
RN