Looted Stores; How to Apply for Lagos State Employment Trust Fund for Small Businesses

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is currently receiving applications from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) affected by the widespread looting and vandalism carried out by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests in the state.

The announcement was made via the LSETF’s official twitter handle.

Are you a Lagos based business and your store got looted/vandalized during the curfew?
 
LSETF is here to help.
 
Fill out form this form https://t.co/bFKQtE7k2M

Let’s save Lagos.#MakingLagosA21stCenturyState #SaveLagos #Recovery #Collaboration

— Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (@LSETF) October 23, 2020

Following the Lekki massacre which stoked tensions in Lagos, thugs and street urchins took advantage of the unrest to loot and damage various stores and shops owned by small businesses. According to reports, many stores were looted at Ikotun, Agege, Oyigbo, Ketu and Surulere areas of the state.

A number of shops were reportedly vandalised or burnt down by hoodlums during the plunders.

The Lagos State government warehouse for COVID-19 palliatives was also broken into which gave rise to similar episodes in Cross River, Osun and Kwara states.

Suggested read: Looted COVID-19 Palliatives; Could Lagos Govt have Done Better with Distribution?

The Lagos State Trust fund is available to support Lagos-base SMEs that incurred damages and losses due to the pillage by hooligans.

How To Apply

Here are the steps involved to apply for the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund:

1. Apply through the LSTEF Google form

To begin your application, log on to the LSTEF SME Recovery form on your mobile phone or computer. Asterisked (*) sections are required. Scroll down to continue.

2. Enter Your Business Name and CAC Number

Fill in your full name as well as the name of your registered business. You may choose not to enter your Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) number as it is optional.

3. Input Personal Details

Enter your email and residential address. Also, select your local government area in Lagos by ticking out one of the twenty (20) listed LGAs.

4. Enter Phone Number and Select Business Sector

Fill in your 11-digit phone number then choose any of the twenty (20) business sectors your business falls under. Sectors include Agriculture, Health, ICT, Artisan, among others. Select “other” if the sector is not listed.

5. Fill in Business Address and Upload Photos of Damages

At this stage, enter the address where your store, shop or supermarket is located in Lagos. This will be different from your residential address except your store is situated where you live.

Also, input the estimated amount of loss you incurred in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and upload photo proofs of damages to your shop/store.

6. Input Number of Employees and Submit

Finally, enter the number of employees for your business. If you are already a beneficiary of the LSETF, tick “Yes”. If otherwise, tick “No”.

Click “Submit” to complete your application.

Technext wishes every prospective applicant a successful exercise.