COVID-19: Ortom, others caution citizens against extravagant spending

A cross section of Benue people including Governor Samuel Ortom have decried the menace of the coronavirus which they said is crippling economic activities globally even as they advised citizens against extravagant spending.

Responding to questions separately, Gov. Ortom said in Benue state, the threat of the coronavirus has been compounded by attacks by herdsmen on farmers and communal crises which will give rise to food crises and restiveness.

He admonished people to ensure self- financial discipline, refrain from violence and engage in agricultural business to maximize the gains of agricultural value chain to guarantee more income.

In his reaction, the state Deputy Governor and Chairman of COVID-19 committee in the state, Benson Abounu, pointed out that the China which is the biggest buyer of the nation’s crude oil has looked down on importation of the product.

According to him, the development is affecting the revenue base of the country and the state as oil remains the main stay of the nation’s economy, stating that already Benue state has been listed among the 26 states that are struggling to pay monthly salaries and pension.

Also, an economist and lecturer in the Department of Business Management at the Benue state University, Makurdi, Dr. John Emaikwu warned that the COVID-19 menace will take its toll on the economy of the state and advised people to take stringent financial measures to curb the negative implications.

Emaikwu declared that Benue state relies heavily on federal allocation whose source is from the sale of crude oil which price has crashed due to the COVID-19 menace as this will lead to a downturn in the state’s economy.

The academic who advocated for a state policy to cushion the emerging recession, stated that government must roll out measures to tackle such challenges as the consumption of basic requirements that have no substitutes.

He suggested the cutting down of allowances and salaries of public office holders for the purchase of medical supplies preparatory to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the state.

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“Benue is not known to be a producing state where entrepreneurs can create jobs and raise internally generated revenue to run its affairs,” the economist opined.

Therefore, he advocated for the use of the state’s security vote for humanitarians support for the people in an event of a total lockdown while payment to contractors should be suspended with salaries and pension given priority attention.

The don added that COVID-19 is a blessing in disguise in terms of the diversification of the state’s economy including the agricultural sector and advocated for an economic policy that will attract young people to get involved in the agriculture value chain and boost the state’seconomy.