Ogun State Government says it will soon commence the first phase payment of N1bn operational grant to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), selected across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State, under the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OG-CARES) programme.

 Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo stated this at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abeokuta, stating that the World Bank-assisted grant was to facilitate recovery and enhance capabilities of business operators for employment retention and job creation,  after the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Okubadejo, who is also the Chairman, Steering Committee, OG-CARES,  revealed that over 3,500 successful MSEs applicants would get a maximum of N100,000 and N350,000 respectively, as the selection process would be transparent and fair, adding that women, youths and persons living with disabilities would be given priority.

According to him, "we will ensure that all the beneficiaries are carefully selected and represent a broader spectrum of the people that have been specifically affected”.

The Commissioner maintained that the reverberating effect of COVID-19   had affected several businesses, especially Micro and  Small Enterprises across the world, saying there would be periodic verification by independent agents after disbursement to ensure that beneficiaries utilise the grant judiciously.