The National Economic Council’s (NEC) Special Committee on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, held its second meeting on Tuesday via videoconferencing.
The meeting, which was coordinated by the Chairman of the NEC, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), continued deliberations on developing additional measures to alleviate the challenges being faced by Nigerians because of the implications of the global pandemic in the country.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, continued with its task of coordinating the Federal and State governments’ responses to the impact of the disease.
Present alongside the Vice President at a meeting held via videoconference anchored from the Presidential Villa are Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa; Mohammed Abubakar, Jigawa; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; David Umahi, Ebonyi; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi. The meeting was also attended by the Finance Minister, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze among several other top officials.
The NEC Committee received the report of its Technical Working Group which proposed an array of policy options and recommendations on how federal, state and local governments can bring relief to the people and take other adequate measures in containing and responding to the adverse economic effects of the pandemic.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice President emphasized the importance of the assignment and the urgency required, asking that public enlightenment and sensitization on the seriousness of the pandemic should be further intensified at all government levels so that more and more Nigerians would become aware of the compelling and critical dimensions of the situation.
He assured the governors that the FG is already packaging further resources for a comprehensive economic response to alleviate the challenges of the pandemic, support the States and provide succor to Nigerians in a timely and effective manner.
He disclosed that the newly created Economic Sustainability Committee, (ESW), constituted by the President would also be meeting this week to start its work and respond to the situation appropriately.

By Bolaji Ogundele