Recession: Govs. back FG’s efforts to reflate the economy -Yari

Governors of the 36 states of the Federation under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum on Friday resolved to support the Federal Government in its effort get out of the current economic recession.

This was part of the resolution made at an emergency meeting of the forum which held at the Presidential Villa, Chairman, Nigerian Governors forum Abdul’Aziz Yari told journalists after the meeting

The forum also resolved to reactivate the medical task force against polio at the states level,which will be coordinated by Deputy Governors in each of the states.

According to Yari, Lassa Fever which has resurfaced in recent times will henceforth be considered as a national emergency and given the necessary attention .

He said,”at the end of the Governors forum meeting,the following resolutions were reached.

“On issues relating to insurgencies, members of the Nigerian Governors forum resolved that it must be treated as a matter of national emergency.

“It was also agreed that we all should activate the states task force on polio or the primary health care programme to be led by the Deputy Governors in each of the states.

“Governors on their part are to show commitment to pay in their counterpart funding towards the polio eradication programme.

“It was equally resolved by the governors to support and encourage the Federal Government in its efforts to reflate the economy and bring it out of recession.

“On the issue of Lassa Fever, we are going to engage with the Minister of Health to see how urgent attention will be given to Lassa Fever cases in the country because it has remained an endemic for a long time, since the 50s. We will discuss and find a lasting solution”.

The country slid into a recession after a contraction of 0.36 and 0.26 percent respectively for the first and second quarter of the year.

Inflation in Nigeria which was single digit between Q1:2014 and Q4:2015 has risen to double digit. Also, unemployment figures have been rising consistently in 2016. This has led to calls for various interventions by all tiers of the government to steam the free fall of the economy.

 

Elizabeth Archibong