Recession: Senate seeks more support from IMF

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure deeper partnership with Nigeria.

Ekweremadu, who stated this while receiving a delegation of the African Department of the IMF, on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, said Nigeria needed more support and collaboration with the IMF.

“The IMF has shown keen interest in the development of Nigeria. We believe that we need greater collaboration at this time of our challenges and we also believe that whatever support and technical assistance we are going to get will be tailored to our own needs, which is also peculiar to us, because everycountry has its own challenges and peculiar circumstances.

“We believe that in working together and taking cognisance of our peculiar circumstances, we will be able to find solutions to our problems. We will work together to build a country where food, shelter and other basic needs are affordable for all,” Ekweremadu said.

In his address, Director, African Department of the IMF, Mr Abebe Selassie, said he was in Nigeria to have a firsthand assessment of the country.

“This is my first country visit. I wanted to come to Nigeria because it is the largest economy and given issues that are here. In my new capacity, what I know is what is on paper and I wanted to come here and talk to the people and get a better sense of how you see the challenges and what you have to do to  address them,” he said.