....29,346 To Benefit from FG's Cash Grant 


Mrs Sadiya Uma Farouk


  The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouk  on Saturday arrived Imo State to flag off programmes under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) and Federal Government Conditional Cash Grant programme meant for reducing poverty amongst the poorest of the poor and vulnerable groups.


During her visit, the Minister will also  issue letters of appointment to Independent Monitors of Imo State origin whose duty will be to monitor the implementation of all the Ministry's intervention programmes in Imo State. 


According to Mrs Farouk, President Muhammadu Buhari's administration initiated the cash grant and other social intervention programmes in partnership with state governments to enable vulnerable groups, including rural women and youths to engage in commercial activities meant to improve their living standard and productivity.


According to the Minister, at least 3,894 beneficiaries across the 27 LGAs of the state would receive N20,000 one-off Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups in the state.


She also revealed that about 4,738 beneficiaries were selected for the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme interest-free loans.


The Minister further disclosed that the beneficiaries would receive loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 for farmers, petty traders, widows and youths.


"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", she said



In his welcoming remarks, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma commended the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in making sure that Mr. President's efforts to eradicate poverty among low income earners and vulnerable people are implemented. 


"Your Ministry is the most passionate and result oriented ministry. That is why I domesticated the Ministry and floated the Imo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Vulnerable Groups" Gov. Uzodinma disclosed.


The Governor used the opportunity to request for accommodation of more beneficiaries from Imo State into the programmes of the Federal Government as according to him, the number of those receiving grants in Imo State are rather low as indicated by available statistics. 


The Minister instantly granted the Governor's request for increased number of Imo beneficiaries while  accepting the Governor's offer for her to make Imo her home.


The programmes tabled for flag off under the NSIP include:


◇ Distribution of the Federal Government cash grant to the vulnerable groups.

◇ Rollout of the Government Enterprises Empowerment Programme (GEED 2.0)

◇ Digitized payment for the Conditional Cash Transfer.

◇ Handover of utensils for the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme

◇ On-boarding of Stream 11 of the Independent Monitors.