President Muhammadu Buhari has again called on developed countries and international financial institutions to cancel the debts of “needy countries” especially in Africa to enable them reverse the devastations of COVID-19 to the human race.
President Buhari made the call on Thursday in a virtual meeting tagged: “High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond”, convened by Canada, Jamaica and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A statement issued Thursday by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said more than 50 Heads of State and Government as well as heads of international organisations participated in the meeting.
The President, who said global solidarity was the hope for humanity, implored major nations to provide free additional resources through an international consensus to assist poor countries fight the coronavirus pandemic.
READ: Nigeria missing as IMF approves debt relief for 25 countries
He cautioned major nations against adopting a “me first” and “every man for himself” attitude, warning that the consequences for all in the 21st century can only be imagined.
Buhari said: “The world has changed through COVID-19 and so must the global financing architecture for development financing and the response to the current pandemic.
“There is an urgent need for weak and needy countries, especially those of Africa, to receive a fresh reprieve.
“This is a historic plague affecting every corner of the globe.
“In the circumstances, the response needed must be global, unconditional, comprehensive, and rapid.
“Debts must be forgiven and cancelled.
“Free additional resources are needed urgently through an international consensus to enable poor countries work to reverse the devastations of COVID-19 to the human race.
“Rising now and standing together in true global solidarity to my mind is the only hope for humanity, the best approach to safeguarding the 2030 SDGs and the only way we can build back for more resilient economies and societies.”
Buhari informed the international community on the devastating impact of the pandemic on the Nigerian economy, the health sector and efforts by his government to mitigate the crisis.
READ: Nigeria’s debt hits N33.078trn as Senate approves Buhari’s $22.7bn loan
He said Nigeria had revised its 2020 budget downwards and shifted emphasis to response activities towards bridging the critical gaps in the health infrastructures to strengthen national response to COVID-19 and other diseases.
“For Nigeria, the shocks are multiple, including the sharp decline in international oil prices which has negatively impacted revenues and growth, worsened external and domestic positions, and further increased banking sector vulnerabilities, resulting in enormous human and economic toll on the country.
“We have been proactive in implementing a number of strong measures, including fiscal, monetary and structural policies, and a multi-front response to the health crisis created by COVID-19 which captures all tiers of government as well as the private sector.
“Our objective is to revert to the government’s planned medium-term fiscal consolidation path once the crisis is over.
“Our strategy for macroeconomic stability is anchored on our home-grown Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP),”he said.
Buhari, while speaking on demographics and health, told the meeting that with an estimated population of 200 million and a large segment of economically vulnerable population, Nigeria had a high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“This level of disease burden, coupled with poverty level and Nigeria’s weak system; the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly jeopardizing and reversing the gains already made by the Government and its partners including in such other areas as outbreaks of Lassa and yellow fevers and measles,” he said.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
