The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the forum is discussing with World Bank to mobilise support for states in order to mitigate the economic and social costs of the coronavirus pandemic.
This was contained in a statement on Monday by the forum’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.
He said the forum appreciates the Federal Government’s reduction in the pump price of petrol amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Fayemi, who is also the Ekiti State Governor, said, “The NGF Chairman briefed state governors on ongoing coordination with the World Bank to mobilise support for states to mitigate the economic and social cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ongoing plans include accelerated disbursement of existing and new financing for States under the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme-for-Results, and mitigation and recovery support for expenditures to protect livelihoods, support local economic activity and recovery over the next 18 months to 2 years.
“The forum also expressed full support for the federal government’s timely implementation of the petrol price modulation mechanism to eliminate petrol subsidy permanently in the country.”