The Deputy President of
the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has solicited more support and closer
partnership of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, in her efforts to address
the nation’s economic challenges.
He stated this while
receiving, on behalf of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, a
delegation of the African Department of the IMF, which paid a courtesy visit to
the Senate on Thursday.
Ekweremadu, who thanked
the IMF for their support to Nigeria, however said Nigeria needed more support
and collaboration of the IMF at this particularly challenging period in the
nation.
He said: “The IMF has
shown keen interest in the development of Nigeria. We believe that we need greater collaboration at this
time of our challenges and we also believe that whatever support and technical
assistance we are going to get will be tailored to our own needs, which is also
peculiar to us, because every country has its own challenges and peculiar
circumstances.
“We believe that working together and taking cognisance of our peculiar circumstances, we will be able to find solutions to our problems. We will work together to build a country where food, shelter and other basic needs are affordable for all”.
Earlier in his address,
the new Director, African Department, IMF, Mr. Abebe Selassie, said he was in
Nigeria to have a firsthand assessment of the country and to discuss the
economic challenges.
He reassured the Senate
that the global body would work hand-in-hand with Nigeria to address nation’s
economic challenges.
Selassie added: “I just took over as Head of the
African Department very recently. This is my first country visit. I wanted to
come to Nigeria because it is the largest economy and given issues that are
here. In my new capacity, what I know is what is on paper and I wanted to come
here and talk to the people and get a better sense of how you see the
challenges and what you have to do to address them”.
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