By Kaveesha Fernando
ABUJA, Nigeria (CWBN)_ The Nigerian Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Dr Zainab Ahmed stated on Wednesday (November 25) that the Presidential Committee report on reopening Nigerian land borders has been completed and would soon be presented to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
In August last year (2019), Nigeria closed parts of its land borders to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other items. A fuller closure of land borders took place in March this year to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Minister Ahmed also stated that the government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) would help end the current recession in Nigeria soon. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced late last week that the country was in recession for the third time this year.
Previously, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) stated that the Nigerian economy suffered heavy losses amounting to N700 billion following 12 days of #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. The news came late last month; since then, the British Parliament announced plans to sanction Nigeria in response to the apparent police brutality which sparked the protests.
Questions were raised regarding the 2021 budget proposal, which was submitted to the National Assembly before news of the final recession. However, the minister stated that there was no plan to retrieve or reverse the proposed budget.
Edited by Elishya Perera
