Kebbi state Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said an advisory committee would be constituted to offer suggestions on how Kebbi State could manage the affairs of the state and meets its financial obligations in view of the economic impact the pandemic of Covid 19 is likely to have on the state.
The Governor said advisory committee would consist of all stakeholders including the labour union and other groups that may volunteer to guide the state on useful suggestions on the way forward.
According to a statement made available to journalists Tuesday by the Senior Assistant on media to the Governor Yahya Sarki, the governor said there was urgent need for stakeholders to advance options on the payment of salary in subsequent months if federation allocation continue to fall .
He expressed worry that the pandemic had already taken it’s negative toll on the world’s economy, especially on the oil rich countries thereby affecting Nigeria’s crude sales which would have negative impact on the state economy.
Bagudu said the federal government has equally taking proactive measures over the issue of the pandemic and its effects on the economy.
He said:” This meeting was convened to, among other issues, effect of the Corona Virus Pandemic on the world’s economy,especially how the prices of oil have crashed.
” it is also saddening that, the prices have not only crashed but our oil is not being sold .This will certainly affect the revenues accruing to the federation account and by extension, the three tiers of government”.
He charged stakeholders to proffer plausible suggestions as to how to fast track the diversification, so as to make the state economy less dependent on oil.
The Governor expressed delight with the measures so far taken by the State Ministry of Health on how to effectively curb the menace of the pandemic.
” I have been fully briefed about the measures so far taken by the Ministry of Health and I am highly convinced.
” I must therefore commend all the health workers and all stakeholders in the state because they have done an incredible job , which would be sustained .
” A lot of people, especially the royal fathers have also helped Her Excellency, Dr Zainab Bagudu, in her sustained efforts to fully sensitize the people of the state on the Pandemic.
” We have therefore brainstormed as to what the health workers have been doing and what more they want the stakeholders to do”, the governor said.
