COVID-19: Nigerian govt may introduce additional stimulus measures as Buhari meets Osinbajo, SGF

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in continuation of efforts by the government to find effective means of tackling the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Osinbajo is the chairman of the high powered economic sustainability committee constituted by the President to address the hardships being faced by Nigerians since the outbreak of the disease in the country.

The vice president, who spoke with State House who Correspondents at the end of the closed-door meeting, disclosed that the Federal Government might soon introduce additional economic stimulus measures towards cushioning the effects of the COVID-19 on the citizens.

Osinbajo said he used the opportunity of the meeting to update the President on the activities of the sustainable committee.

According to him, the committee was part of the National Response Strategy towards alleviating the suffering of Nigerians in view of the current difficulties in the country.

He said: ”We are concerned about how to ensure that the economy remains stable – like jobs are protected and if possible more jobs are created.

“The President has expressed very serious concern about the problems that maybe associated with the lockdown.

“Many of our people work for daily wage, they have to go out to work and all of that every day.

”So, we have to think in terms of how to ensure that we are able to give them some succour during the period that they are not able to work.”

Osinbajo revealed that the full report of the Economic Sustainability committee containing thoughts and ideas of members on the best way forward for Nigeria would soon be submitted to the President.

The President also met with the leadership of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19, led by its chairman, Boss Mustapha.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Let’s pay short-term price for long-term goal, NCDC tells Nigerians

Mustapha, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, told State House Correspondents after the meeting that he acquainted President Buhari with details of the work being done in line with its mandate towards containing the coronavirus in Nigeria.

He said the task force provided the President with the basic facts on ground as well as ”options that would guide him in deciding whether or not the cessation of all movements in parts of the country is to be extended.”

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