The Federal Government on Monday explained some of the measures being adopted to help get the country out of its current economic recession.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, outlined these measures while speaking at the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit.
She said the Federal Government was fully aware of the current economic situation and was working round the clock to reverse the trend and restore the economy on the path of sustainable inclusive growth.
The minister said, “To achieve these the government developed a sustainability plan to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and is already implementing policies aimed at stabilising the economy.
“These include taking action to stimulate the economy by preventing business collapse through ensuring liquidity; retain and create jobs through support to labour intensive sectors such as agriculture and direct labour interventions.
“Undertake growth-enhancing and job creating infrastructural investments in roads, rails, bridges, solar power, and communications technologies.”
Others, according to Ahmed include promoting manufacturing and local production at all levels and advocate the use of made in Nigeria goods and services, as a way of creating job opportunities.
She said achieving self-sufficiency in critical sectors of the economy and curbing unnecessary demand for foreign exchange which might put pressure on the exchange rate was also a measure being undertaken to restore the economy.
The finance minister further stated that the government was extending protection to the very poor and other vulnerable groups including women and persons living with disabilities through pro-poor spending.
“Although we are not yet out of the woods, given the adverse impact of COVID-19, we have to continue to implement the measures to get the economy back on track,” she said.