Business
World Bank Group to deploy $160 billion for COVID-19 interventions
The Bank expects to deploy up to $160 billion over 15 months through June 2021 to support countries’ responses to COVID-19.
Published
1 month agoon
The World Bank Group would be deploying to the tune of $160 billion over 15 months through June 2021 for COVID-19 interventions, according to its 2020 Annual report.
According to the report:
- The interventions would be through a series of new operations, the restructuring of existing ones, the triggering of catastrophe drawdown options, and support for sustainable private sector solutions that promote restructuring and recovery.
- “The World Bank deployed the first set of projects under this facility in April, aimed at strengthening health systems, disease surveillance, and public health interventions. To soften the economic blow, IFC and MIGA moved quickly to provide financing and increase access to capital to help companies continue operating and paying their workers”.
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of World Bank Group expects to provide $47 billion in financial support through June 2021 as its part of the Bank Group’s response.
- “In its initial package, IFC is providing $8 billion to help companies continue operating and sustain jobs during the crisis. This package will support existing clients in vulnerable industries, including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and services, and provide liquidity to financial institutions so they can provide trade financing to companies that import and export goods and extend credit to help businesses shore up their working capital”.
What you should know
- The focus of the interventions would be on investing in prevention, remaining engaged in crisis situations, protecting human capital, and supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including forcibly displaced populations.
- The second phase of the IFC’s interventions is intended to support existing and new clients using its Global Health Platform, which aims at increasing access to critical health care supplies, including masks, ventilators, test kits, and, eventually, vaccines. This also includes financing to manufacturers, suppliers of critical raw materials, and service providers to expand capacity for delivering products and services to developing countries.
- IFC expects to contribute $2 billion from its own account, as well as mobilize an additional $2 billion for private sector partners.
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), on its own part, formally launched a $6.5 billion fast-track facility towards its interventions to the private sector investors and lenders to tackle the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries.
- The various interventions by both IFC and MIGA complement the World Bank’s broad-based efforts in ensuring the preservation of the global supply chains, particularly for the production and distribution of vital medical supplies.
- The World Bank as well IMF have intervened to call for the suspension of bilateral debt payments from the International Development Association(IDA) countries to ensure that countries have the liquidity needed to grapple with the challenges posed by the outbreak and allow for an assessment of their financing needs.
According to the World Bank President, David Malpass, “Debt relief is a powerful, fast-acting measure that can bring real benefits to the people in poor countries.”
Johnson is a risk management professional and banker with unbridled passion for research and writing. He graduated top of the class with B.sc Statistics from the University of Nigeria and an MBA degree with specialization in Finance from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, with fellowships from the Association of Enterprise Risk management Professionals(FERP) and Institute of Credit and Collections management of Nigeria (FICCM). He is currently pursuing his PhD in Risk management in one of the top-rated universities in the UK.
Business
More Nigerians don’t trust government, fear losing jobs more than COVID-19 – Report
The 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer has revealed that Nigerians trust NGOs, businesses more than they trust the government.
Published
5 hours agoon
February 24, 2021
A recent survey has revealed that only 24% of Nigerians have trust in the government which is one of the lowest rates in the world. The report also stated that Nigerians have more fear of job losses than Covid-19.
The was revealed in the 21st Edelman Trust Barometer Survey Report on Nigeria unveiled virtually by Edelman and its Exclusive Nigerian Affiliate, Chain Reactions Nigeria, in Lagos on Tuesday, 23 February 2021.
Presenting the 2021 Nigeria findings with the theme: ‘Pandemic’s Ongoing Impact on Trust’, CEO of Edelman Africa, Jordan Rittenberry, noted that Nigerians are looking to civil society organisations and businesses to assist the government in uplifting communities and driving positive change.
The 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer Report revealed that “out of the four institutions of government, business, media and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Nigerians trust civil society organisations the most, with businesses coming second.”
Highlights of the survey include:
- Most Nigerians expressed distrust for the media and returned the lowest trust quotient in the world for government with 24%.
- Nigerians overwhelmingly placed the highest Trust in their ‘employers’, and in the process revealed their expectations for CEOs and business leaders to be more pro-active in speaking out on societal issues (92%) and driving positive change (79%) rather than wait for government.
- Nigerians fear losing their jobs more than they fear coronavirus, with a high degree of vaccine hesitancy revealed, as only 26% expressed readiness to take the COVID-19 vaccine when made available.
Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said: “Distrust in government is not peculiar to Nigeria. However, the government does have the responsibility to up its game in communication, to demonstrate responsibility and responsiveness.”
Akande cited the acclaimed National Social Intervention Programmes, and the COVID-19 Survival Fund as some evidence of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s unprecedented responsiveness to Nigerians.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics reported last month that only 68.8% of Nigerians believe Covid-19 is real. While 39.9% of Nigerians say they will take the vaccine, 63.3% are opposed to another lockdown, in a report by SBM Intel
Business
SEC denies knowledge of Oando shareholder’s court case
SEC has denied ever being served with court processes with respect to the purported matter at the FCT High court.
Published
7 hours agoon
February 24, 2021
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has denied the claim by one of Oando Plc’s shareholders, Engr Patrick Ajudua, that he won a court case against the capital market apex regulator.
SEC disclosed in a statement it issued and seen by Nairametrics on Wednesday that there was never a time it was served with court processes with respect to the purported matter at the FCT High court.
It stated, “The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) has been drawn to several publications in the media, where it is reported that a shareholder of OandoPlc, purportedly obtained a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory High Court against the Commission.
“The Commission wishes to inform the general public that it was never at any time served with court processes with respect to the purported matter at the FCT High court. The Commission will consequently take all necessary steps to verify and set aside the purported decision of the said Court.”
The attention of the Commission has been drawn to several publications in the media, where it is reported that a shareholder of OandoPlc, purportedly obtained a judgment from the FCT High Court against the Commission. Full Statement –> https://t.co/olT2FpxaEK
— SEC Nigeria (@SECNigeria) February 24, 2021
What you should know
- On Tuesday, Ajudua, reportedly won a legal suit, which was filed at the High Court of the FCT against SEC, according to Nairametrics.
- He filed that the directive of the SEC suspending Oando’s Annual General Meeting is in breach of his right to freedom of association as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 9, 10 & 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
- In the said hearing presided over by Honorable Justice O. A Musa, all cases filed were granted in his favor.
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