Dwindling economy: NEC swings into action


The National Economic Council (NEC) Thursday constituted a committee that would to look into the issues concerning complete reopening of the country’s economy.
This was disclosed by Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa state while briefing State House correspondents after the monthly NEC meeting held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.


He said the committee would collaborate with the Presidential Task Force on the Control of COVID-19 to flattened the curve of the pandemic and proffer advise on how the economy would be reopened for normal activities.


Fielding question on why some states don’t work in synergy with the federal government in confronting the novel coronavirus, the governor said the issue has been resolved during the last meeting of the Governors’ Forum with Mr President.
”Tthe President was clear that the Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 should meet and agree on steps to be taken, and it has been discussed today and commitment has been taken by today’s NEC that the Governors’ Forum, the presidential Task Force would work hand -in -hand to see to the end of COVID-19.
“Sometimes you will see a different approach by different states, that doesn’t mean that there is a loggerhead between the states and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.


”Some peculiar situations require some peculiar solutions and that is why at times you see such and that will always be discussed with the Presidential Task Force so that we will always be on the same page,” he said.
On how the current situation is affecting other vaccinations apart from polio and the likely setback as a result of concentration of COVID-19, the governors said that despite the disease, some states still work hard other vaccinations programme.


”On the vaccinations, yes most of the States still continue with the normal routine vaccinations, we still do. And also on follow-rounds of vaccinations still going on in most of the states,” he said.
On the deductions that have been suspended, the governor said: ”I think most of the states are paying salaries already. But we have not seen the worst yet, I may not be able to answer this question correctly until we see what comes up in the next part, that is when we expect the worst-case scenario on the fallen oil prices.


”And at that time we will do the calculation and all the scenarios will come up and that will determine whether we will be able to pay salaries or not.”
Asked on the exact area that NEC agreed to collaborate with the Prrsidential Task Force on COVID-19, the governor said the committee was looking at the guidelines, saying, ”it just like one committee now. We have agreed with the Presidential Task Force on all that we will do to make sure we are on course.”

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