The Akwa Ibom State Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Bank of Industry has flagged- off the enumeration exercise for potential beneficiaries of the second phase of AK-CARES, Result Area 3.2 operational grants across the three Senatorial Districts of of the State.
The exercise took place simultaneously in Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts last week.
The aim of the exercise, was to ascertain the authenticity of businesses that applied for the AK-CARES operational grants meant to rejuvenate businesses that were affected during COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant is jointly made possible by Akwa Ibom through Covid-19 Intervention Funds by the State Government, Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank.
At Uyo Centre, the turn-out was impressive with many participating businesses representatives were on hand to be enumerated.
The beneficiaries who spoke with the media team, expressed happiness for the initiative and pledged to make good use of the grants if received.
Mr Ubong Okon Jacob, a business Stakeholder in Uyo, described the exercise as a welcome development, say ‘I lost a lot during the COVID-19 crisis and I believe that the operational grants will help business owners in the State to revive their businesses”.
Jacob, who deals on beverages, promised to use money to expand his business and called on the business community to support the gesture of the present administration, for more empowerment.
Also in support of the exercise, Mr David Okpo, an Aluminium fabricator, while narrating his ordeal during the pandemic, said “expressed optimism that the money will help me recover all the losses.”
Okpo, who was excited after being captured, noted that the gesture will strengthen the capacities of their businesses as well as encourage expansion.
Fashion designers, Emem Ime and Blessing Pius Okon, expressed gratitude to the Federal and State Governments for the grant and added that, the support will help many businesses to come alive thereby reducing unemployment in the society.
In each of the centres, the State Programme Manager of AK-CARES Result Area 3.2, Mr Michael Essien-Ibanga congratulated the potential beneficiaries for attaining the enumeration stage and wished them well in the programme.
Essien-Ibanga appealed to them to conduct themselves orderly during the exercise and provide correct information to ensure successful capturing.
The exercise was closely supervised and monitored by the Bank of Industry personnel, AK-CARES Implementation team, Ministry of Trade and Investment, members of the AK-CARES Co-ordinating Unit, led by Head of the Unit, Mrs Enobong Okponkpong, among others.
The enumeration exercise is pre-stage for shortlisting the beneficiaries, after which funds will be released to businesses that make the final list.
Media Unit,
AK-CARES {Result Area 3.2}
Ministry of Trade and Investment, Uyo
stàndbynewsonline 