A Business Pundit in Plateau State and the Chief Executive Officer of Anista Marketing & Events Ltd, Ms Bolcit Patience Barshep has called for sectoral approach to help through the economic epidemic in Plateau State.

She said there is need to deploy strategies to rebuild the Plateau economy.

She said companies are beginning to react to the adverse economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic by cutting down their expenses and by so doing she said many will lose their jobs which will lead to poor spending capacity by the people, low standard of living, low income per capita and poor revenues by companies.

She said government presently lacks bailout capacity to assist companies.

She said government’s intervention is needed to assist Micro, Small, Medium and Macro Enterprises (MSMEs) to secure COVID-19 Loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria at a single digit interest rate.
She said there is critical need to collate data of businesses from the relevant Ministries and agencies in the State such as PLACCIMA, PLASMIDA etc.

She said Agriculture is one sector that should not be allowed to go into recession considering its importance during the pandemic.
She said 2 million people in Plateau State and over 200 million persons nationally need to eat.
Ms Bolcit posited that there is concern over supply chain since most of their business outlets within and outside the State are under lock.

She said this is the period for Plateau State to increase its capacity in processing our rich agricultural produce into finished products.

She said Plateau State need to think outside the box through renewed push for economic diversification to ensure most consumptions are provided locally.

There is need increase production and preservation of food. Making of chips from our potatoes, juice from mangoes, tea from Zogole, zoborodo tea, cassava flour, etc”

“Above all, we need a Plateau Covid-19 Economic War room with Liberal brains full with fresh ideas on how to prepare for the effect of COVID-19.”

“Giving out palliative as food. Payment of civil servants salaries can only last for a short time then what next??” she posited.

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COVID-19 Pandemic: Multidimensional Approach Needed for Perilous Economic Times – Bolcit