NOT ALL GRANTS ARE FREE: Our Eyes Are On You- FGN Tells Beneficiaries
Oru Leonard/ Maryam Aminu
To make the completion of the Export Expansion Facility Programme that was launched in January 2021, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), held a special interactive session to showcase key beneficiaries of the Export Expansion Facility Programme.
The Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Dr Ezra Yakusak disclosed that the council, by its statutory mandate is d lead agency for the promotion of export programmes and harmonization of export development activities in the country. We have driven this mandate over the past 45years through national activities and collaboration with international trade agencies.
Under the auspices of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan of the Federal Government, led by His Excellency Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbanjo, the Export Expansion Facility Programme has afforded the Nigeria Export Promotion Council additional capacity to support existing and aspiring exporters while executing programmes that will have a lasting impact on the Export sector.
The EEFP has impacted beneficiaries across Export value chain through its 7 workstreams, he added.
He assured that council will continue to drive it’s core objectives of driving sustainable growth of Nigeria’s non-oil exports, leveraging its 6 regional and 30 smart offices across the federation.
He warned that beneficiaries should not relent as the council is going to monitor them in making sure that they perform in line with the terms and conditions of the grant.
“Yes it is a grant but it is not free money. Our eyes will be on you to ensure that you work for what the money was meant for.
The program coordinator, Export Expansion Facility Programme, Ms Maureen Ideozu, stated that over the past 12 months, the Export Expansion Facility Programme, Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan through its 7 work streams has impacted beneficiaries across the export value chain with the overall objective of growing Nigeria’s non-oil export potential
She added that the scheme with the hash tag #nonoilexports#pandemic2prosperity #savejobscreatjobs. Has impacted a lot on the economy of Nigeria.
The EEFP program has opened our eyes to see that Nigeria can survive on products other than oil.
Reacting, the Managing Director of Export and Sell Limited who is one of the beneficiaries of the grant Udeh Nduka, commends the Federal Government for coming up with a wonderful scheme like the Export Expansion Facility Programme.
The grant has added immense value to us. Just when we thought we will loose our jobs because of the pandemic, the grant came up as a saviour not just saving our jobs but even gave us opportunity to create jobs. Indeed the grant is #Pandemic2Prosperity
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