The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of cash grants to over 7,000 beneficiaries in Imo and Abia States.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq during the flag-off of the programmes and the digitized payment for Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) in Owerri stated that the programme was targeted at the vulnerable groups in both states.
At least, 3,894 beneficiaries across the 27 Local Government Areas are expected to get N20,000 one-off Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Imo State.
4,738 beneficiaries were selected for the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) interest-free loans.
The Minister stated that the beneficiaries will receive loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 for farmers, petty traders, widows and youths.
In a statement in Abuja by her media aide, Nneka Anibeze, the Minister said: “Today, l have come to roll out the programme in the “Land of Hope” Imo State. Hence, successful beneficiaries of the GEEP programme will start receiving credit alerts from Access bank by God’s grace.
“This is a programme designed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians who are involved in some sort of commercial activity or capacity but have never had the opportunity to access loans.
“It is meant to give priority to the most vulnerable in our society like the widows, youth, disabled and the displaced amongst others”.
Farouq also presented engagement letters and monitoring devices to some of the onboarded 95 Independent Monitors and utensils for pupils under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.
Responding, the Governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma who thanked President Buhari for the laudable empowerment programmes described the programmes as ” life touching”.
The Governor asked for more Social Empowerment Programmes slots for Imo state to cushion the effects of banditry and insecurity in the state.
He said: “We have felt the impact of the National Investment Programmes of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. We are appreciative of the efforts of the Ministry in making sure that President Buhari’s dream of lifting 100m Nigerians out of poverty is realized.
“We also appeal to you to increase the number of beneficiaries in Imo state. Lately, the poverty index in the state increased due to banditry and insecurity.“
In Abia state, the Minister who was represented by the Director of Special Needs, Mrs Nkechi Onwukwe also launched the GEEP 2.0 with 4,108 beneficiaries.
With the launch, 3,107 will receive N20,000 each as cash grants to vulnerable groups while 27 Independent Monitors were on-boarded and given engagement letters as well as monitoring devices.
“While the target of this Cash Grant project is to increase the income and productive assets of the target beneficiaries, it is highly expected that the beneficiaries will use the grants to improve their productivity, create wealth, generate employment and improve their living standard,” Farouq said.