Author: National Record

While the IMF approved US$1 billion disbursement to Ghana to address the covis-19 pandemic to be drawn under its (IMF’s) Rapid Credit Facility, its Executive Board on the same day approved for Senegal a US$442 million disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility and purchase under the Rapid Financing Instrument. The IMF did not make public any conditionalities to these packages.

“Nothing else happened but what I have just told you. People see the video and start screaming: “Look how they are throwing Igbo people and black people out.” But you were asked to stay indoors so that they can sort things out. They are trying to solve this problem so that the virus can be brought under control before they let people in. “

Although the Foreign Ministry’s statement failed to admit any infractions, it however provided what can be described as a detailed background to the incidents. Mr Lijian noted in the statement that: “Faced with COVID-19, an abrupt global public health crisis, all countries are taking containment measures to prevent it from further spreading.

“AAC says that the ruling party does not have the political goodwill to deliver Nigeria safely and soundly out of this pandemic. In Lagos, Nigerians have turned themselves to vigilante while millions have been fighting to survive staying at home!”

“Today, I am pleased to say that our Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The civil society group stated that its demands for apology and full investigation are in appreciation of the values of partnership that drives AU’s Agenda 2063 as well as the values of equality, mutual accountability, reciprocity and solidarity which have ensured the good relationship between the African Union, the majority of its member states and China.

“With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.”

“As a digital rights organization, we cherish online privacy and while we struggle to ensure that government does not abuse the privacy of individuals, we should equally urge citizens to respect the privacy of others.”

“There will be economic and political backlash when the pandemic is over as it will provide ready excuse for further attacks on the rights of workers and the citizens through wage cuts, layoffs, redundancies, increased casualisation, etc. It is also not ruled out that there will be fresh increases in VAT, electricity tariff, etc. as the ruling class will attempt to shift the burden of bailing the economy out of the doldrums it is headed to the masses while bailing out the big businesses. We must prepare for this and stand to defend jobs and right to decent living. The masses cannot be expected to pay for this crisis when the political elite earn outrageous pay.”

The appointment of the special envoys, the AU chair said, would expedite the process of securing economic support to enable countries on the continent to respond swiftly to this grave public health emergency. President Ramaphosa said the envoys brought with them a wealth of experience and enjoyed longstanding relationships in the international financial community.