We’ve Spent ₦3.5 Trillion On COVID-19 Palliatives — CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has stated that the sum of N3.5 trillion has been disbursed to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy.

The information is contained in a review of the 132nd communique of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, signed by Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele.

The CBN governor said that interventions were largely in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, electricity and gas, solar power and housing constructions among others.

“Recent interventions are largely in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, electricity and gas, solar power and housing constructions among others.

“Real sector funds, (N216.87 billion); COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), (N73.69 billion); AGSMEIS, (N54.66 billion); Pharmaceutical and Health Care Support Fund, (N44.47 billion); and Creative Industry Financing Initiative (N2.93 billion).

“Under the Real Sector Funds, a total of 87 projects that included 53 Manufacturing, 21 Agriculture and 13 Services projects were funded.

“In the health care sector, 41 projects which included 16 pharmaceuticals and 25 hospital and health care services are funded. Under the Targeted Credit Facility, 120,074 applicants have received financial support for investment capital.

“The agri-business/small and medium enterprise investment scheme (AGSMEIS) intervention has been extended to a total of 14,638 applicants, while 250 SME businesses, predominantly the youths, have benefited from the creative industry financing initiative,’’ he said.