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N2.3trn Stimulus Plan Saved Nigeria From COVID-19 Economic Disaster, Buhari Claims
President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that but for the Federal Government’s stimulus plan of N2.3trillion, the economic disaster that could last for years as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, could not have been averted.
He made the disclosure in Jos, the Plateau State capital at the weekend during the graduation ceremony for Senior Executive Course (SEC) 43 participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Represented by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari, who noted that the damage done to the economy by the pandemic and the global lockdown was enormous, further disclosed that the economic agenda was still in place.
According to him, Nigeria was in talks with the World Bank to raise $30million to establish bio vaccine plants in the country to facilitate local production of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He added that that the country’s GDP contracted to 6.10 per cent during the second quarter of 2020, even as oil price at one point went down to as low as about $10per barrel before it finally settled at about $45per barrel during the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
“Unemployment went up to 33.3per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020. The transportation sector declined by 49per cent, the hospitality sector fell 40per cent, the education sector fell 24per cent, real estate declined by 22 per cent, trade declined by 17per cent and construction declined by 40 per cent.
“Nigeria was in a terrible economic situation and response, the President took two swift steps; One was to set up a small inter-ministerial committee headed by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to quickly work out the implications and the immediate mitigation for the economic shocks we were headed for,” he explained.
Osinbajo, who spoke specifically on what Buhari did to avert economic disaster, stated that the “second thing the president did swiftly was to direct a team of ministers and inter-agency heads to draw up a 12-month economic emergency plan, which became known as the Economic Sustainability Plan.
“We were clear that the only way of avoiding an economic disaster that could last for years was for the government to essentially put forward a major fiscal stimulus plan. Such a plan must have clear objectives of saving jobs and creating new ones, supporting businesses that may close down, and employees that may not be paid during lockdowns, and, of course, healthcare support to reduce the COVID-19 caseload. So, we promptly put forward a stimulus plan in the order of N2.3trillion,” he explained.
According to him, “We took quick fiscal measures, including grant of additional moratorium of one year on CBN intervention facilities; reduction in the interest rate on intervention facilities from nine to five per cent; grant of regulatory forbearance to banks to give borrowers some breathing space, including through restructuring of outstanding debts.
“The CBN also reports the disbursement of N798billion to 3.9million smallholder farmers under the Anchor Borrowers Programme, N134.6billion to 38,140 beneficiaries under AGSMEIS and N343billion to 726,158 beneficiaries, the release of N1trillion to 269 real sector projects, and N103billion disbursed to 110 healthcare projects,” he added.
He said that the main fiscal policy challenge facing Nigeria was inadequate revenues, especially in the face of lower oil revenues.
He said it was essential to improve tax administration, vigorous collection of all revenues due to the Federal Government from its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs); bring all high earning agencies into the federal budget.
“Concurrently, we must lower customs duties and tariffs on raw materials and intermediate goods used in manufacturing while giving reciprocal, non-tariff-based support like procurement, subsidies, and tax breaks to priority sectors”.
He charged the new graduands to team up with his administration to build a better future for Nigerians.
Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Udaya (rtd), had said that 85 Senior Executive Course participants passed out during the graduation ceremony.
He said that the participants toured 14 states within Nigeria and also visited six African countries and five countries outside the continent in the course of the Senior Executive Course which began in February, 2021.
He added that the participants had been well equipped through rigorous and intense research and training processes to contribute to the Nigerians government’s strategic plans and actions towards getting things done in their different roles and capacities.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammdu Sa’ad Abubakar, were among other dignitaries that attended the graduation ceremony.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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