The regime of President Muhammadu Buhari has rolled out the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 2.0 in Abia State.

GEEP is to assist the poor and vulnerable, Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said during the launch in Umuahia.

The minister, who was represented by Nkechi Onwukwe, Director, Special Needs, said the programme was designed for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians.

She said the programme is for those who are involved in commercial activities cum capacity but have never had the opportunity to access loans.

She explained that it was meant to give priority to the most vulnerable in society such as widows, youths, disabled and the displaced amongst others.

“GEEP is captured in three signature schemes namely the TraderMoni loan of N50,000, targeted uplifting under-privileged and marginalised youths between the ages 18-40 years.

“Market Moni, an empowerment programme designed for under privileged and marginalised women – widows, divorcees amongst other vulnerable groups.

“Then FarmerMoni loan scheme which is equally designed to provide agricultural inputs worth up to a maximum of N300,000 to rural farmers,” the minister said.

Ms Farouq explained that about 20,722 potential beneficiaries were registered across the 17 council areas in Abia, out of which 4,144 were selected after verification.

The successful beneficiaries of the programme will start receiving credit alerts from Access Bank immediately after the inauguration on Saturday, she said.

She said that the programme was a consolidation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) designed by the Buhari regime.

She said that the programme was being implemented in close partnerships with the State government as a clear demonstration of collective commitment to address poverty.

The regime also launched the disbursement of grants of N20,000 each to 3,107 beneficiaries across the 17 council areas under its Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) programme.

(NAN)