Federal Government has targeted over 1.4m Nigerians for the second phase of the Government Empowerment and Enterprises Program, GEEP2-0 loan.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya  Sadiya Umar Farouk disclosed this at the official flag off of the program in Dutse, the jigawa state capital.

Hajiya Sadiya Farouk represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo explained that the program was in line with the federal government’s effort to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

The Minister said, when President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, over 70 percent of nigerians were living at poverty level.

According to her, out of concern and determination to change the negative narration, President Buhari established the Social Intervention Program SIP under which a series of empowerment and intervention programs were initiated and implemented to tackle the challenges

.

She pointed out that, the targeted beneficiaries in the second phase would receive 50,000 naira each as a loan to enhance their small scale trade.

Sadiya Umar Farouk noted that over 6,000 beneficiaries have already been accredited in Jigawa state as beneficiaries of the GEEP program.

The Minister therefore charged the beneficiaries, to be determined and self disciplined in utilizing and paying the loan.

Cov//Usman MZ