We may slide into another recession- Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed warns
The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, has warned that Nigeria may slide into a second recession in four years if a very strong third-quarter 2020 economic performance is not achieved.
Ahmed gave the warning today August 13 while speaking at the opening of a five-day interactive session on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), held in Abuja. The interactive session was organized by the house of representatives committee on finance chaired by James Faleke.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Minister of State for Finance, Clement Agba, said Nigeria’s economy which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, may lapse into a second recession in four years if a third-quarter economic performance is not achieved.
“Nigeria is exposed to spikes in risk aversion in the global capital market, which will put further pressure on the foreign exchange market as foreign portfolio investors exit the Nigerian market. Nigeria’s Q2 GDP growth is in all likelihood negative and unless we achieve a very strong Q3 2020 economic performance, the Nigerian economy is likely to lapse into a second recession in four years with significant adverse consequences.
“In response to the developments affecting the supply of foreign exchange to the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adjusted the official exchange rate to N360, and more recently to N379.” she said
According to the Minister, COVID-19 containment measures, although necessary, have inhibited domestic economic activities which have had a rippled negative impact on taxation and other avenues government generates revenues.
“Consequently, the projections for customs duty, stamp duty, value-added tax, and company income tax revenues were recently reviewed downwards in the revised 2020 budget. Customs revenue has generally performed close to target over the last few years, exceeding target in 2019.
There has been some improvement in company income tax and VAT remittances; we expect significant improvements in VAT collections with the new VAT rate of 7.5 percent” she said
Why always giving us unacceptable excuses? What it’s your duty? What are you earning salary for? Why can’t you do the needful and stop complaining? Haba
Recession is not good for a nation..o and no one prays for that
We have had this before so we pray it does not slide into our dear country again
The relevant authorities should do all it takes to see that this recession does not come
The COVID 19 disturbed the economic activities of the whole countries of the world, everyone knows that
God save us..o
Instead of lamenting, government should cut their cost of spending and divert the fund to sustain our economy. There is no point in what you are saying, you need to take drastic steps on policies that will assist our economy. We won’t forgive you if you didn’t take any steps on this.
Hmmmmm
Yae it may bring to our nation growth to change.All progress stems from change, but all change is not necessarily progress..for our nation.
we re in it already ma
I implore you to do everything in your capacity to not let us fall into another recession. We policy that will assist us.
At least government should reduce cost of governance and focus on infastructure that will improve our IGR and curtail the menace of the corruption.
May God just sustain his people,cause we are abersador of heaven,so heaven would keep providing for his people.
We are tired of your every day excuses,there nothing you are doing there that is helping the masses here.
People are suffering I can tell.
Help us that why God kept you in that position.