Amid the rising cost of food commodities across the country, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has declared that Nigeria’s economy is healthy. The Minister stated that economy is experiencing an appreciable growth that may see the high inflation in the country come down in few months’ time.
Edun made this disclosure on Sunday when he featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Recall that the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, had reported in its April’s Consumer Price Index, CPI, that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.20 per cent in March 2024. This is up from 31.70 per cent in February 2024.
The NBS, also stated that the food inflation surged to 40.01 per cent in the month under review.
But Edun on Sunday, said the inflation situation was under control. He stressed that the reforms and economic policies of President Bola Tinubu were gradually paying off.
He said, “Mr. President has achieved relative growth and stability in his first year in office. The necessary fallout of the measures that had to be taken were higher interest rates to fight inflation and attract foreign currencies, which was successful. In terms of inflation, it is coming down. It is expected and projected to come down over the next few months.
“On the other indices, the important thing is that the economy is actually growing. It is very rare to have a situation where authorities, particularly the monetary authority set their target. Fighting to bring down inflation and prices generally. And at the same time, striving to keep the economy growing. We do have that.
“Quarter by quarter when compared to the first quarter of last year, the growth is up by virtually three per cent per annum. This is above population growth compared to about the two per cent achieved by this time last year. So, we do have the economy going the right direction. We just need to stay that course. In staying the course, help and amelioration must be given across the board.
“I have talked about help that should be given to farmers and consumers. There is also help for small and medium scale businesses. By Monday, the economy stabilization plan that deals with the factors affecting big businesses and industry will be on Mr. President’s table. So, that they too can stabilize, begin investment again, create jobs and grow the economy,” the Minister said.
source: PUNCH
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