Governors ask Buhari for additional emergency economic stimulus packages

Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Tuesday solicited for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari through provision of additional economic stimulus packages with the view to keep the sub-national governments properly afloat.

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who made the appeal during the first teleconference meeting with President Buhari,  said that states are going through rough times, and urged the president on the need to take certain  decisions to ameliorate the sufferings of the Nigerian people.

While thanking Buhari for the approval of the release of $150 million to augment projected FAAC shortfall in June, the NGF Chairman alluded to the revenues from the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which he said could help in assuaging some issues relating to revenue shortfalls as enunciated during the 4th NGF teleconference meeting, where the governors called for the suspension of all deductions by the Federal Government so that states can address the Covid-19 challenge from a position of economic strength.

Governor Fayemi commended President Buhari for the manner in which he has always rescued the states through presidential approvals for bailouts, budget support facility, London Paris Club refund, among others.

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The NGF Chairman informed the president that all the 36 state governments are currently reviewing their budgets downwards to conform with the prevailing realities.

While commending the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 for doing a great job considering the huge challenges that the Coronavirus has thrown at them, argued that “Hunger-vid is equally as lethal,” that puts Governors at the receiving end of the hardships, all Governors would be happier if their requests were met.

Governor Fayemi stated that the Forum members align themselves with the efforts of the Federal Government, he urged President Buhari to also encourage the evolution of a national strategic plan that would encompass the subnational level so that the country will find a fast and easy way out of the woods.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE