Bismarck Rewane is not only the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, but also a member of the Federal Government’s Economic Advisory Council. So, when he talks, it definitely holds water.
He has warned that the income and purchasing power of Nigerians would be hit in 2020. He attributed his projection to the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Rewane said the proposed increase of Value Added Tax (VAT), electricity tariff and return of tollgates would negatively impact on the income of Nigerians.
Nairametrics had previously reported that the Federal Government proposed a 7.5% VAT increase. The increase is projected to discomfort a large percentage of Nigerians as the prices of goods and services will jump.
The Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, had also said there’s a need to increase the electricity tariff, which might make Nigerians start paying more on electricity supply. It was stated that the hike was inevitable due to the rising cost of electricity generation in Nigeria.
Rewane’s concern: The financial expert explained that the economic situation in 2020 would be difficult to ascertain or estimate at the global economy and domestic markets.
He said, “For Nigeria, consumers will groan about the hike in VAT, the restoration of tollgates and cost-reflective electricity tariffs.
“The good news is that the payment of the new minimum wage and the arrears would offer some succour to workers. Investors would also keep a close watch on the stock market and the impact of government policies on their portfolio strategy.”
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It is important to note that the Senate is also seeking a legislative action to impose a 9% tax on Communication Services. The communication service tax shall be levied on Electronic Communication Services like Voice Calls; SMS; MMS; Data usage both from Telecommunication Services Providers and Internet Service as well as Pay per View TV Stations.
On monetary policy outlook: Rewane said the CBN would maintain its stance on the Monetary Policy Rate due to the rising inflation and depleting external reserves. But he said the CBN could cut interest rate if “inflation enters a sustained downward trend and falls below the targeted upper limit of 9%.”
He further stated that at the expense of external reserves, the CBN would continue in its aggressive intervention at the foreign exchange market.
Rewane also stated that CBN is likely to impose more forex restrictions rather than devalue the naira in the face of growing external imbalances, adding that unorthodox measures will be applied by CBN to encourage lending as economic growth becomes a stronger consideration.
Meanwhile, FDC analysts said the absence of forex interventions by the CBN was behind the continuous depreciation of the naira which might result into higher prices.
“Further depreciation of the naira is likely to occur in light of depleting external reserves, which could limit the CBN’s ability to intervene in the forex market,” he said.
Is he not the same man that says he won’t accept any offer from PMB because there is no spark among his economy team? On morning digest with Jimi Disu on Radiotalk 91.3fm. But now he’s part of economy advisory committee.