Excitement over N30,000 grant to artisans
By Tanko Mohammed
Beneficiaries of Nigeria’s Artisans Support, a track of the Survival Fund scheme under the Economic Sustainability Plan, are excited at the receipt of the N30, 000 one-time grant.
The grant is currently being disbursed in the first set of states in the country to artisans of various categories..
Some of the beneficiaries bared their minds in testimonies shared.
Also, some leaders of the artisans association expressed optimism that their members who have been enumerated will be paid in the coming days.
It will be recalled that last week, the Federal Government commenced the disbursement of the grant to beneficiaries in 11 states and the FCT namely; Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Plateau and Delta states.
Confirming the receipt of payment by some beneficiaries under the carpenters and furniture-makers union at the Kugbo Furniture Market, Mr Ogechukwu Victor said some members of his group have received alerts, noting that more people were expected to get alerts of payment probably before the close of work on Tuesday.
Auto mechanics and technicians in the FCT were not left out as artisans at the Gudu, Apo and Area 3, mechanic workshops confirmed the receipt of the N30, 000 one-time grant.
Outside the FCT, members of the Nigerian Automobile Technician Association (NATA) in Bauchi, confirmed receipt of payment of the N30, 000 grant. Alhaji Kabiru Saidu, Salihu Tanimu and Ibrahim Haruna, among many others at the Bauchi Central Motor park, confirmed receipt of payment.
As at the close of work on Monday, November 2, 2020, thousands of beneficiaries in several states and the FCT had confirmed the payment of the grant to their various accounts.
The beneficiaries include hundreds of cobblers and hair dressers/barbers in Abia state, and mechanics and hairstylists in the FCT.
Other details of payment across the states include, technicians and tailors in Anambra State; carpenters, tailors and mechanics in Bauchi State; Business Centre operators and caterers in Borno; and welders and barbers/hairdressers in Delta State.
In Kaduna state, automobile mechanics and tailors have been paid while Brick Masons and tailors have also been paid the grants in Kano and Lagos states.
In the same vein, carpenters and caterers in Ondo State have received their payment, and automobile mechanics and tailors were also paid in Plateau State.
Validating the selection process that culminated in the payments, the leadership of the various artisan’s unions and associations who have had to work closely with the MSMEs – ESP implementation steering committee overseeing the scheme in enumerating potential beneficiaries, have expressed eagerness for those enumerated to be paid.
The National President of Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), Mr Oseni Suleiman, who confirmed the enumeration of members across the country, has expressed optimism that members will soon receive their payment alerts.
He said though members have been enumerated across the country, some beneficiaries were yet to be paid in Rivers State, which is captured in the first batch.
For her part, President of the Nigeria Association of Hair Dressers and Cosmetologists, (NASHCO), Mrs Betty Ishoka, said though members of the association across the country were yet to receive alerts of payment, the enumeration of members have been concluded in the states captured in the first batch of the scheme.
Also, Chairman of the Lagos State Barbers’ Association Okoyo/Ojo road chapter, Mr Segun Daniel said no member of the group had been paid but enumeration had been concluded since early October.