By Asmau Ahmad
Economic Expert, Mr Moses Igbrude, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritise fixing healthcare, education and electricity in the 2021 budget, as a way to reflate the nation’s economy.
Igbrude, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Ogu Investment, told newsmen in Lagos that focusing more on the electricity sector would boost productivity and grow the economy out of recession.
He said the government should improve the transmission section of the electricity gamut because it is about the weakest link in the power value chain.
“The Siemens power deal should be sustained in order to scale up our power generation and accelerate the industrialisation of our economy,” he said.
Also, he said that the Federal Government should expedite the 2021 budget’s allocation to the health care sector in order to contain the COVID-19 health pandemic.
“We expect the funds to enhance the capacity of the federal health institutions to tackle the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“It is important as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has surged and it is a threat to a healthy work force in the implementation of government policies,” he said.
He noted the education sector should also get extra consideration in the implementation of the 2021 budget because it is the nation’s best resource.
Health Reporters had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N13,588,027,886,175 into law on December 31, 2020.
The president’s action followed the earlier passing of the bill by the National Assembly on December 21, 2020 during an emergency session convened for the purpose of passing the budget.
The signing of the budget is also in line with the president’s promise to return the nation to the January to December budget circle.
