The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Tuesday, rolled out the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.O) for 1,194 beneficiaries, including farmers, traders, among others.
Speaking Tuesday in Abuja, during the roll out of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.O), the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who was represented by the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Ali Grema, said that the 1,194 beneficiaries have already been credited with N50,000 Loan.
He said: “This programme is being implemented in close partnership with the State Governments and this effort is a clear demonstration of our collective commitment to address poverty which today is the core developmental challenge confronting us as a people.
“Let me state here that since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration in 2015, when it inherited a National Poverty Incidence level averaging 70% going by National Bureau of Satistics (NBS), the Federal Government has paid more attention in generating solutions to address the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country despite other economic challenges the administration inherited at the time.
“This informed the decision to initiate the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) in 2015 as a strategy for poverty reduction and enhancing social inclusion among our people especially the women and disabled in rural areas. This NSIP has been acclaimed by many to be the largest and most ambitious social protection programme in Africa, and it is currently attracting many partnerships including even from international development partners.
“I have personally witnessed the life-changing experiences on people who, hitherto, lived below the poverty line and those that are vulnerable to shocks, but are now living better lives.
“We are here to officially Roll-Out the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) in FCT, Abuja. A programme designed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians who are involved in some sort of commercial activity/capacity but have never had the opportunity to access loans.
“In a bid to onboard more beneficiaries on to the GEEP programme, the Ministry has since January, 2023 commenced the second phase of GEEP registration of potential beneficiaries. The second phase of GEEP is expected to capture more vulnerable groups for the purpose of uplifting them out of abject poverty and to reduce unemployment in the society.
“With the complementary effort of Stakeholders in creating awareness, the target beneficiaries and many more citizens of the State will be on their way out of poverty to prosperity and we will, by the Grace of God, as a country, remain on the track of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.”
Also speaking, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, who was represented by the Focal Person for FCT Social Investment Programme, Chinwendu Eteyem Amba, said that the money will help the beneficiaries increase their access to finance, support the growth and development of small and micro enterprises, so that standard of living can be improved in the society.
He said: “Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) is government initiative aimed at advancing interest and collateral free credit and finance amongst the poor, vulnerable and underserved segment of the population. It has three components (Trader moni, Market Moni and Farmer Moni)
“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development should be appreciated for going through due diligence of registering, verifying and enumerating the beneficiaries for the programme.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is quite significant important in achieving the objectives of empowering the women, children and the vulnerable in the territory these to help increase their access to finance, support the growth and development of small and micro enterprises, so that standard of living can be improved in the society.”
Speaking earlier, Team Lead of GEEP, Zainab Musawa, advised the beneficiaries to make adequate use of the money to better their conditions, adding that more beneficiaries are being captured on a daily basis.
“I will advise the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity of being selected among millions of Nigerians to establish themselves. They should use the money for what it is stipulated for, to lift themselves from poverty either as farmers or traders,” she said.