Post Covid-19 Economic Crisis: We need to get Anambra State ready -By Chima Christian

I was a guest earlier today at the flagship political programme of Ogene FM, Awka where we looked at “Covid-19 Response in Anambra State: Compliance and Enforcement.”

The programme was hosted by Ogene FM’s Franklin Ebuka Okonkwo. Dr. Simeon Onyemeachi, a member of Anambra Action Committee on Covid-19 and the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency was also a guest on the phone-in programme.

During the programme, I encouraged ndị Anambra to, the best of their ability, adhere to advisories and directives issued by the State Government. I noted that a few items in the guidelines issued may be difficult to implement in some contexts. In consequence, I invited the state government to purposively seek out barriers to the implementation of those advisories and directives where they have not been so complied with.

As an instance, I highlighted the state government’s directive to tricycle (keke) operators to carry not more than two passengers per time. I noted that the state government still tax these keke operators the same amount of money it taxed them before the social distancing directive was issued. I encouraged the government to consider substantially reducing their tax burden or waiving it entirely for the time being to cushion the loss of revenue or hike in transport fares that will emanate from their compliance with the directive.

I emphasised on the need for the government of Anambra State to come up with a bold stimulus plan that will cushion the impact of COVID-19 on households and businesses. My reasoning is that Nigeria is now challenged by the twin scourge of Covid-19-inspired lull in economic and social activities and then the crash of oil price and the impact it has always had on Nigeria’s mono-product economy.

It will be recalled that Anambra was the first state to, in September 2016, announce an economic stimulus package in the wake of the 2016 recession. Thankfully, that same Government is still in power. I called on them to lead again by becoming the first sub-national government in Nigeria to announce a bold Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Plan.

For clarity, my call errs more on the side of tax reductions and tax holidays, government-backed single digit facilities to SMEs, timed support to public and private schools, timed subsidy of Anambra health insurance premiums so that more families will be covered without the system collapsing, priority release of capital expenditure so that money will be injected into the economy, and other such ideas the government may wish to come up with.

While Covid-19 prevention and containment efforts should be in top gear, we need to start planning and sowing seeds as at yesterday so that post Covid-19 economic crisis will not hit Anambra State badly.

While we are at that, we should not rule out the possibility of direct government intervention so that people will not starve to death should Anambra markets be on lock down for a long period of time, if it gets to that. Our lack of systems to deliver handouts or conditional cash transfers in a transparent and accountable manner may be a let.

While I admit that a bold economic stimulus package will be a tall order for the state considering the realities of the day, it is very much in us and within our reach. Our governor must be encouraged, as a matter of life and death, to modify his governance style and mobilise human and material resources that will help the state maximise both international and national donor-funding and debt relief opportunities. Though the whole world is hurting, there are agency and donor funds the state can tap into. A lot of Anambra lives and businesses may depend on those opportunities. The state government must reach out and get them. Not doing so will amount to gross disservice.

More so, our governor may wish to take a voluntary pay cut and then inspire members of his team to do likewise. He may also wish to come up with other measures to cut down the cost of government.

As at today, there’s no confirmed Covid-19 case in Anambra, thankfully. What is confirmed is that families and businesses are beginning to hurt already.

As we sanitise our hands, apply social distancing, isolate and the world battles to arrest this monster, Anambra State should get the economic bandage and pain killers ready so that post Covid-19 economic crisis will not hurt as much.

Chima Christian