The Senate yesterday solicited more support and closer partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in a bid to address the nation’s economic challenges.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, made the appeal when he received, on behalf of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a delegation of the African Department of the IMF, which paid a courtesy visit to the Senate.
He thanked the IMF officials for their support to Nigeria, and said the country needed more support and collaboration of the IMF particularly at this challenging period in the nation’s history.
“The IMF has shown keen interest in the development of Nigeria. We believe that we need greater collaboration at this time of our challenges and we also believe that whatever support and technical assistance we are going to get will be tailored to our own needs, which is also peculiar to us, because every country has its own challenges and peculiar circumstances,” he said.
“We believe that working together and taking cognisance of our peculiar circumstances, we will be able to find solutions to our problems. We will work together to build a country where food, shelter and other basic needs are affordable for all.”
The new Director, African Department, IMF, Mr. Abebe Selassie, said he was in Nigeria to have a firsthand assessment of the country and to discuss the economic challenges.
He reassured the Senate that the global body would work hand-in-hand with the country to address the nation’s economic challenges.
