Gov Bala Laments Negative Impact Of COVID-19 On State’s Economy

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has lamented that the outbreak of Coronavirus is affecting the state’s economic fortunes.

The Bauchi State Governor made this known on Thursday when he received the report of the Committee for Economic Recovery and Sustainability, headed by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Aminu Gamawa, at Banquet Hall of Government House, Bauchi.

Mohammed while reacting to the report stated that the economic situation in the state is pathetic as it depended solely on monthly federal allocation.

He further stated that monthly federal allocation is not enough, hence the need for diversification of the revenue base of the state.

The Governor promised to look into all the recommendations of the committee with a view to setting up implementation machinery.

Mohammed commended members of the committee consisting MDAs, representatives of labour unions, markets, Commerce and Industry, among others, for the good work done.

According to him, one of the reasons for setting up the committee was to reduce costs and cut waste, assuring that his administration was committed to taking relevant measures recommended in the report to mitigate the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the state economy.

“They have given us recommendations on how to cut costs and generate revenue for the state,” the governor stated.

He informed that based on the recommendation of the committee to review the 2020 budget, “we will bring the budget on board and look at it wholistically.”

The Chairman of the committee, Aminu Gamawa while speaking noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 was not only a health issue but also a global economic issue, which had impacted many economies negatively.

According to him, “the lockdown has had devastating impacts on the world economy and the economy of Bauchi State and Bauchi needs to take proactive measures.”

He further stated that the committee was set up by the state governor with a view to strengthening the state’s economy.

He then informed that the committee looked at the revenue base of the state and federal governments, areas where the state government can reduce spending and increase revenues of the state.