Presidential Grant Scheme: Beneficiaries appeal for more to create jobs

In a bold move to empower small businesses and stimulate economic growth, the Federal Government’s Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS) has been making waves.

The beneficiaries of the scheme have appealed for more support for mass job creation across the country.

Two of them shared their experiences on Sunday with news men in Lagos.

They are Mr. Akor Goddy, a vegetable farmer, and Mr. Williams Asuquo, a food vendor.

Goddy, who received a N50,000 grant, was able to expand his farm and increase his profit from N30,000 to N50,000 monthly.

He also received a cash reward of N200,000 from a government official, which further boosted his business capacity.

Asuquo, on the other hand, used his grant to relocate his business to the Lekki axis and hire a worker to help him manage his food vending space.

Both beneficiaries called on the government to provide more support for small businesses, particularly in terms of company registration and access to loans.

Goddy has qualified for a N5 million grant but is unable to access it due to his inability to register a company.

Asuquo, who has been offered the opportunity to apply for a N5 million loan from the Bank of Industry (BoI), finds the requirements too stringent.

They urged the government to invest more in the youths and provide the necessary support to help them grow their businesses and create jobs.

Goddy said: “It was like a dream when I got the alert, I used the money to buy more seedlings for my farm.”

He also explained that he usually used a surface pumping machine to pump water from a nearby canal.

But, according to him, the technology is limited leading to about an acre of the plants drying up.

He appealed to the government to support PCGS beneficiaries who have demonstrated capacity with company registration to be able to access the loan.

Asuquo appealled for more support for mass job creation.

“So, I am begging the government to help those of us who use the first grant well.

“They should help us to register the company.

“If I get N5 million today from the Federal Government, I will be able to employ 18 to 20 people.

“The government is trying but they should invest more in the youths to change this country,” Asuquo said.

The PCGS, which aims to empower one million small businesses, is a significant step toward promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in Nigeria.

With a focus on providing financial grants and training to small business owners, the scheme has the potential to make a real impact on the lives of many Nigerians.

As Goddy and Asuquo’s stories demonstrate, the scheme is already showing promise, and with more support and investment, it could lead to even greater success.