Economic Crisis: 36 Governors Invite Two Federal Ministers, Economic Adviser Salami

Nigeria’s lingering power sector crisis and projects’ delivery across the states will dominate discussions at Wednesday’s meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Worried by the power sector ineffectiveness of the last couple of weeks, the governors have invited Minister of Power, Engineer Aliyu Abubakar to attend the meeting with a view to explaining the status of all power sector projects and their delivery status across the country.

Prime Business Africa reports that, not only is the Power Minister invited to the NGF meeting, according to a letter sent to all governors by the Director General of the NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru on Friday, March 18, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Adviser Doyin Salami will also be in attendance.

Mr Okauru, in the invitation letter, pointed out that Wednesday’s upcoming virtual NGF meeting, the third this year, would begin at 2pm prompt. ‘‘All invitees are expected to begin to log in from 1300hrs.’’

President Buhari’s Economic Adviser Dr Salami, according to information from the NGF, is expected to discuss the Nigerian economy and his new perspectives as the Economy and means to navigate out of the present quagmire will feature prominently at the NGF meeting.

Salami was the chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) until his appointment as economic adviser in January this year. His new portfolio entails that he addresses all issues on the domestic economy and present views on them to the President. He is also to ‘‘closely monitor national and international developments, trends and develop appropriate policy responses; develop and recommend to the President national economic policies to foster macro-economic stability, promote growth, create jobs, and eradicate poverty, among others.’’

Former Minister of Power Professor Barth Nnaji had, in an exclusive  interview with Prime Business Africa, identified three major reasons Nigeria’s electricity supply currently wobbles.

President Buhari had also apologised to Nigerians over persisting fuel scarcity and electricity crisis.

’The 36 Governors will be seeking to know in which direction he will be rolling the economy,’’ the NGF said.

‘‘Another critical sector that the Governors will be deliberating upon is Health Care Delivery in the country. The Health Minister Dr Osagie Ehanire will be briefing the Governors on Oxygen Supply and the rehabilitation of General Hospitals.

‘’Another top official of the health sector that will be meeting the governors at the meeting is the Executive Director and CEO of the NPHCD Dr Faisal Shuaib, who will be briefing the Governors on the forthcoming Primary Health Care Summit, 2022.

The two ministers are expected to address the Governors before the other two presentations. There will also be the regular briefings from SFTAS and the CARERS programs on which the Governors are expected to be updated.’’