The federal government says COVID-19 has attacked all its
revenue sources.
Addressing state house correspondents after the federal
executive council meeting, Mohammed said the development has affected
ministries, department and agencies.
He was responding to a question on the complaint of some
agencies that they have ran out of resources to fund projects.
“We are not just Nigerians, we are all witnessing what is
going on in the world today. When the budget was passed in December last year,
we all celebrated that the budget was passed for the first time in a good time
to allow for us to plan. We were very hopeful that this year we will be able to
achieve a lot,” he said.
“I remember that the benchmark for crude oil was $57 but
from nowhere today we have COVID-19, which has brought every economy in the
world to its knees. Nigeria cannot be an exception. As a matter of fact, we are
praying that the crude will go to $30 per barrel. All sources of revenue has
been attacked by COVID-19, when we locked our borders how will goods come in?
How will customs make money for the country?
“Abuja, Lagos and Ogun have been on lockdown for more than
four weeks. It was only yesterday that we were easing the lockdown. How will
they make money to pay taxes? So if we say there is no money it is not because
we are seeking for lame excuses.
“The entire world, not just Nigeria is facing serious fiscal
challenges. Forty million people in the US today have filed for unemployment,
the aviation industry alone has lost about $1 trillion.
“So please look at this in context, if you budgeted for $57
a barrel and we sold at $18 a barrel two weeks ago. This is why the minister of
finance at the last council meeting, informed all of us that they will slash
every ministry’s budget by 20 percent capital and 16 percent overhead. So where
will the money come from? So when we complain there is no money, it is genuine.
“If you know what is being spent on COVID-19 alone and what
it is costing the whole world, you will be able to appreciate this better.”
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