Nigeria Governors’ Forum says it will develop a strategy to open the economy based on the Guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi stated this at the end of the 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting with his colleagues.
The Governors endorsed the work of Governor Okowa’s Committee to consolidate on measures to gradually open the formal and informal sectors of the economy, especially agricultural activities in rural areas, the manufacturing sector, markets, construction, hotels and worship centers based on the existing COVID-19 protocols.
Governors also advised citizens with symptoms of COVID-19 to go for tests to ensure that they receive timely care to prevent their families from contracting the diseases, as states are already working with the PTF to ensure that adequate operational testing laboratories are available in each State.
After endorsing the recommendations of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc committee on COVID-19 which highlights key public health and macroeconomic actions for the Federal and State governments, the governors commended the World Bank for the provision of $750 million additional finance for the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programmes.
They pledged to ensure that their Ministries of Finance are positioned to access available funds to strengthen the COVID-19 response of State governments.
By Nehemiah Anini,
Radio Nigeria