In its unwavering efforts to lay a solid foundation for sustainable economic recovery in Plateau State, the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) under its COVID-19 Action for Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) on Tuesday 24th September, 2024 at Langfield Leisure Park Rayfield Jos, the Plateau State Capital distributed equipment comprising of mobile phones to over One Thousand Beneficiaries for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components of the grant disbursement. This intervention came shortly after the disbursement of financial grants to over 5,000 Beneficiaries in the State a gesture aimed at assisting them to boost their businesses and strengthen the local economy of the State.
The Director General of PLASMIDA, Mr. Wuyep Bomkam while distributing the equipment highlighted how vital the event was considering its theme which is “Facilitating Economic Recovery and Enhancing the Capacities of MSMEs”. He said the event was aimed at empowering thousands of businesses and individuals in Plateau State following the severe disruptions the COVID-19 Pandemic caused across all sectors, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that were among the worst hit in terms of the impact of the pandemic. He hinted that many lost access to markets, faced disruptions in supply chain and struggled to stay afloat saying the MSMEs are key drivers of economic recovery.
He said “Their resilience, adaptability and capacity for innovation will be crucial in driving Plateau State and the Nation towards sustained growth and development.
He lauded the Governor of the State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang for what he termed his exceptional leadership, empathy, proactive steps and commitment to the wellbeing of the Citizens of Plateau State.
He said “Through his visionary actions over 5,000 nano-businesses across the State have already benefitted from financial grants of N50,000 each. These grants have provided the much-needed financial support to stabilize their operations and reopen their businesses. For many, this was not just a lifeline – it was a chance to start afresh, to rebuild stronger, and to continue contributing to the economy.
“Today, we take a further step forward. An additional 1,000 beneficiaries will receive essential equipment to boost their productivity and expand their market reach. These tools are not just material goods, they are enablers of growth, vehicles for innovation, and instruments of empowerment. By providing these resources, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of our Entrepreneurs, but we are also laying the foundation for sustainable economic recovery”
He assured the Citizens of the State that the Agency under his watch will continue to work assiduously to achieve its cardinal mandate which is “To develop the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the State towards wealth creation and poverty reduction” knowing fully well that MSMRs are the lifeblood of any economy, contributing to employment generation. He emphasized that the role of the agency among many others is to ensure that these businesses have access to the right tools, training and support to thrive.
“We are committed to providing continuous support and capacity-building initiatives to ensure that these beneficiaries, and many others like them succeed in a competitive market environment” he averred.
The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Arc. Samuel Jatau disclosed that the COVID-19 Action for Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) initiative in the State is a clear demonstration of the government’s unwavering commitment to alleviating the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, while ensuring the long-term empowerment of the Citizens of the State.
In his words “this program represents the Government’s deep commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive recovery process. The CARES program is specifically designed to ensure that the benefits reach those who need them the most-small business owners, artisans, and entrepreneurs who are backbone of our economy”
“These interventions, whether through financial grants or the provision of equipment, aim to build resilience and drive innovation. Our hope is that each beneficiary will use these opportunities to thrive, contribute to the growth of their communities, and ultimately play a role in the economic transformation of our State”
He stated that the Governor has approved the commencement of the second phase of the CARES project which according to him will be known as the Community Action for Recovery and Economic Resilience. He also said plan is in the pipeline by the State Government to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to bridge the gap of access to finance to MSMEs which has been a serious concern. He applauded those who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the initiative.
He encouraged the Beneficiaries to take full advantage of the resources given to them and assured that government will continue to provide the enabling environment for them to thrive.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to the welfare and prosperity of the State through the implementation of programs that will promote economic empowerment, create jobs and ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the State’s development.
In his remarks the Technical Administrative Head, State CARES Coordinating Unit, Dr. Haggai Gutap lauded the Commitment of Governor Mutfwang to the empowerment of the Citizens of Plateau State and highlighted some of the projects being executed by NG-Cares to include 32 Roads, the distribution of farm inputs to 30,000 Farmers to boost food security, construction of hospitals/Schools and disbursement of grants to vulnerable citizens. He assured small businesses and the Citizens of Plateau State that NG-CARES is committed to changing the lives of the People by lifting them out of poverty.
Goodwill messages came from the State Manager, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Chief Jonathan Janfa, the Coordinator Fadama CARES Dr. Gideon Dandam, State Chairman of the Plateau State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) and the President of Small and Medium Scale Businesses in Plateau State Mr. Awolowo Olu.
The program was graced by the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Plateau State Hon. Jeremiah Satmark and other top government functionaries.
count | 77
