Federal govt plans additional budget for acquisition of coronavirus vaccines
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| Ahmed additionally disagreed with a few Nigerians on the extent of borrowing by the federal government |
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, stated on Thursday the Federal Government might put together a additional budget to attend to the acquisition of coronavirus vaccines and vaccination of Nigerians.
The minister, who disclosed this on the inaugural State House media briefing held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stated the additional budget could be organized in March and despatched to the National Assembly for attention and approval.
She stated Nigeria would acquire its first batch of coronavirus vaccines following week.
Ahmed additionally disagreed with a few Nigerians on the extent of borrowing by the federal government.
The minister stated: "There could be a additional budget, the primary one may be in March pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic however we can even have a mid-yr review like we did last 12 months of the budget."
"If on the time we do the review and there's a need to revert to do any modification for a additional budget, we can take that decision. If not, we'll clearly report the review."
"We have a provision in the 2021 budget for immunisation. We are already freeing cash to the health authorities to begin operation within the first batch of vaccines that'll arrive in the country in the following week.
"Though what we have in the budget isn't enough, so we're working with the health authorities to offer a plan in order to be taken to the President for approval and to be taken to the National Assembly as a additional budget especially for coronavirus vaccination."
"There is lots of sensitivity in Nigeria approximately the extent of borrowing through the government and it isn't always misplaced."
"I stated in advance that the extent of borrowing isn't always unreasonable, it isn't always high. The hassle we've got is that of revenue. So, what we need to do is to boom revenue a good way to enhance our debt to GDP obligation-capacity."