Covid-19: FG unveils intervention scheme to boost transport sector

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Federal Government has unveiled intervention scheme towards boosting the transportation sector aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic plague.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum, said the initiative is for micro transport operators under its Survival Fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a bid to overcome the challenges faced during the pandemic.

While addressing stakeholders in Abuja during the unveiling of the scheme tagged: ‘Transport Track’, Katagum noted that it was part of the Artisans and Transport Scheme.

As the Chairperson, Programme Steering Committee, she stated that the MSMEs Survival Fund and Guaranteed Offtake Schemes had five different tracks, which was approved under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) of the Federal Government.

Represented by the Director, Industrial Development Department in the ministry, Mr. Adewale Bakare, Katagum, pointed out that the Transport Track targeted 4,505 beneficiaries in all States in Nigeria.

“This track, which is being launched today will give a one-off grant of N30, 000 each to qualified individuals operating in the transport sector.

“These include: Ride share drivers, such as Uber, Bolt, etc., taxi drivers, bus drivers, ‘Keke Napep’ riders, okada riders, cart pushers et cetera.

“Under the Transport Track, being launched today, applicants are encouraged to apply through their registered associations to be enumerated.

“Individuals who are members of associations but choose not to apply through their association can be enumerated but this ‘independent’ applicant will need proof of membership to be enumerated.

“On this note, I urge Ride share drivers (Uber, Bolt, et cetera.) taxi drivers, bus drivers, Keke Napep riders, commercial motorcycle riders, cart pushers among others to take advantage of this scheme,” Katagum said.

The Minister, however, posited that applicants would be able to access the fund at no cost, adding the initiative was borne out of the Federal Government’s commitment to help cushion the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

Katagum also appealed to leaders of transport associations to mobilise their members so as to apply for the scheme.

“It is absolutely free, do not pay anyone to benefit, your money is N30,000 and it will go directly into your bank accounts.

“Let me emphasise that the government-approved all the schemes as grants, and as such, all applicants should not pay money to influence anything because no one can influence anything.

“To qualify for enumeration, all intending beneficiaries are expected to apply through their (registered) associations.

“Individuals may walk up to our enumerators without routing through their association, but such an individual must have a valid proof of membership of the association he/she claims to belong to,” Katagum said.