The federal government has lamented poor participation of Akwa Ibom state in its ongoing Survival Fund scheme recently launched programmes for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the national economic sustainability plan.
The field officer of Survival Fund in Akwa Ibom state, Sopuruchi Egbeke, who spoke on Tuesday in Uyo, during a town hall meeting with MSMEs stakeholders, disclosed that out of 13,000 given to the state, only 2000 businesses applied for the scheme.
“The slot that was given to Akwa Ibom for the Survival Fund scheme was about 13,000. Out of that number, we had about 2000 something that applied and over 1000 submitted complete applications.
“For now there is an extension to enable those who could not be able to benefit from the Survival fund. While some of the schemes have been concluded, some are still ongoing and require you to mobilise your members across the state to participate in the programme.
“The essence of this meeting with you the stakeholders, therefore, is for us to brainstorm and see how you can encourage your members to benefit, and also sensitize them on the need to be incorporated in the survival funds,” he said.
Egbeke however emphasised that participation in the programme was absolutely free, and that it was criminal to sell the Survival Fund form to potential beneficiaries.
He noted that qualification as a beneficiary was largely based on first come, first serve basis, and assured to relate the issues raised by the stakeholders to the appropriate quarters.
“But let us try as much as possible to leverage on this opportunity that we have. The government is to provide critical and timely support that can guarantee improved conditions of living for every Nigerian most especially as a result of the lockdown necessitated by COVID-19,” he aidd.
In her brief remarks, Mrs. Patience Ndu, Area Manager of Industrial Trust Fund (ITF) , Uyo, described the poor participation of the state as pathetic, and warned against any attempt to frustrate people from benefiting from the scheme.
She urged participants to see team spirit as important, saying, “In ITF, we preach team spirit. Let us make sure we benefit from this programme.”
