Federal Government: Jigawa small-scale farmers will receive N300 million.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Under the Government Empowerment and Enterprise Programme, the Federal Government has finalized plans to distribute N300 million to 6,000 Jigawa State petty traders and small-scale farmers (GEEP).

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faruk, said the beneficiaries had been selected and screened while launching the second phase of the government empowerment and enterprise programme (GEEP) in Dutse, Jigawa State capital.

The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, stated that when President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in 2015, more than 70% of Nigerians were living in poverty.

According to her, President Buhari established the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) out of concern and determination to change the negative narrative, through which a series of interventions were initiated and implemented to address the challenge.

“There are many success stories,” Faruk said. The first phase has lifted millions of Nigerians out of abject poverty, and many have gone on to become labor employers.”

Faruq went on to say that the targeted beneficiaries in the second phase will each receive N50,000 to help them expand their small-scale trade.

She urged the loan recipients to be determined and self-disciplined in using the loan facility to achieve their objectives.

Also yesterday, Save the Children International (SCI) kicked off the distribution of empowerment equipment to 8,500 people in Jigawa State’s Kiyawa Local Government Area.

The district head of Kiyawa, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa, who launched the empowerment distribution, directed the withholding of empowerment equipment for 21 community-based organizations that were found to have mismanaged previous support received from the organization.

The district head was disappointed in the leaders and members of the groups for their “insincerity.”

Those found to have misappropriated supports, according to Alhaji Aliyu, will not be given any empowerment items until they return earlier gestures to them.

He praised the other groups for being sincere and making good use of the support, and he encouraged them to keep up the good work. “That would undoubtedly accelerate the development and progress of your group and the entire community,” he said.

The district head also praised the SCI for its generosity and foresight in improving the lives of the people, particularly children.

Dr Isah Adamu, the Chief Party of the INSPIRING project in Jigawa State, stated that the program was part of SCI projects that would end this year.

“As part of our commitment to ensuring that communities maintain pneumonia prevention and control in their areas.

“You have the ability to provide a source of income for yourself, your children, and expectant mothers to access health care delivery services,” he said.

According to him, the empowerment equipment is distributed based on their chosen trades and businesses.