The Lagos State Government on Monday
said that it has set a target to utilize the N25billion Employment Trust Fund
to provide financial support to over 100,000 Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) within the next three years.
Executive Secretary of the Lagos
State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, who spoke while
briefing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre said the fund, was in
line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision to create employment and
entrepreneurship opportunities for all Lagosians.
Acknowledging the fact that
Lagosians are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the fund, especially with
the challenging economic recession, the Executive Secretary said the Board set
up to manage the funds had spent the last few months perfecting strategies and
addressing grey areas ahead of the commencement of the disbursement of the
funds later this year.
Explaining further, he said the Board of Trustees embarked on several strategy sessions to define the mission, vision, core values and strategic framework to guide the Fund’s activities.
Explaining further, he said the Board of Trustees embarked on several strategy sessions to define the mission, vision, core values and strategic framework to guide the Fund’s activities.
“After the completion of the research exercise, the Board working with its appointed consultants developed a strategic framework articulating the goals of the Board, the key interventions designed to enhance job creation, and the supporting infrastructure needed to deliver the set goals. This exercise has now been concluded and approved by the Lagos State Executive Council,” he said.
Highlighting some of the framework for the disbursement, Oyebode said the fund would provide loans to MSMEs at a single digit interest rates per annum, while training and capacity building and technical support would be provided to drive growth and job creation.
“The businesses we support must
demonstrate capacity to repay our loans; be owned by Lagos residents duly
registered by the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA); show
evidence of tax payments to the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS); and have
valid Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs). In addition to our MSME financing
schemes, we will also train unemployed residents to either take up identified
jobs or run their businesses,” he said.
Oyebode added that in adherence with
Section 6 of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law of 2016, the Board has
forwarded the Operating Guidelines outlining the proposed interventions and
eligibility criteria for approval by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Oyebode expressed optimism that the
fund would have multiplier effect with the capacity to create 300,000 direct
and 600,000 indirect jobs while about 200,000 new tax payers would be added to
the State’s tax net.
He said that the LSETF Board, in order to ensure sustainability of the Fund, has set its target to raise a minimum of N25 billion from domestic and international donors, in addition to the N25billion already committed by the State Government.
“Once the pilot phase is completed, we will rollout our loan schemes in all 57 LGAs and LCDAs across Lagos State. The full rollout will see us visit all LGAs to hold stakeholder sessions, where our staff will educate applicants on the application process, and the eligibility criteria for our various schemes. We are also in the process of setting up liaison offices in 20 LGAs, to bring the Fund’s activities closer to the people, and increase our points of representation to serve Lagos residents,” he said.
Corroborating him, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said Governor Ambode’s administration was committed to ensuring the fund impacts on the lives of Lagosians.
He lauded the plan by the LSETF Board to set up offices in 20 Local Governments in the State, saying that it would go a long way to ensuring that no area is marginalized.
“It is important that this process has taken considerable time, we need to make it work and also ensure that it is to the benefit of all Lagosians,” Durosinmi-Etti said.
He said that the LSETF Board, in order to ensure sustainability of the Fund, has set its target to raise a minimum of N25 billion from domestic and international donors, in addition to the N25billion already committed by the State Government.
“Once the pilot phase is completed, we will rollout our loan schemes in all 57 LGAs and LCDAs across Lagos State. The full rollout will see us visit all LGAs to hold stakeholder sessions, where our staff will educate applicants on the application process, and the eligibility criteria for our various schemes. We are also in the process of setting up liaison offices in 20 LGAs, to bring the Fund’s activities closer to the people, and increase our points of representation to serve Lagos residents,” he said.
Corroborating him, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said Governor Ambode’s administration was committed to ensuring the fund impacts on the lives of Lagosians.
He lauded the plan by the LSETF Board to set up offices in 20 Local Governments in the State, saying that it would go a long way to ensuring that no area is marginalized.
“It is important that this process has taken considerable time, we need to make it work and also ensure that it is to the benefit of all Lagosians,” Durosinmi-Etti said.
Adding his voice, Chairman, House
Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Sola Giwa, assured that
members of the House would give the Operational Guidelines of the fund
expeditious passage.
“This is one of the pivotal promises of Governor Ambode and I can assure you that the House would do its best to ensure that we do it right,” Giwa said.
“This is one of the pivotal promises of Governor Ambode and I can assure you that the House would do its best to ensure that we do it right,” Giwa said.
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