Kogi govt registers indigent households impacted by COVID-19
Kogi government says the register was designed as a shock response framework by the National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSP) in collaboration with the World Bank to cushion the effect of COVID-19
The Kogi State Government says it has started registration of the poor and vulnerable economically impacted by COVID-19 pandemic for them to be able to access the emergency Social Interventions’ Support.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiru Idris, who disclosed this in Lokoja, advised Kogi indigenes to take advantage and get themselves registered.
The commissioner added that the government would sensitise the people toward the success of the programme.
May 13, 2021
Seven businesses were warned for failing to comply with the Seasonal Maximum Price (SMP) directive, according to the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (JPES).
It said that through the Department of Competition and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), three businesses in Tanjong Bunut, two in Tanah Jambu, one in Sinarubai and one in Pekan Bangar were issued warning letters for selling items above maximum prices. The items included: butter, milk (condensed and evaporated), margarine, ghee and flour.
These offences were found during routine inspections conducted across districts, said JPES. Price inspectors also advised businesses to comply with the SMP directive and to ensure prices of goods are clearly displayed.
May 11 - 2021 KHARTOUM / WASHINGTON D.C.
IMF logo (IMF)
The International Monetary Fund s (IMF) executive board approved a financing plan yesterday that will help mobilise the resources needed for the IMF to cover its share of debt relief to Sudan . A critical step according to IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva. Meanwhile, Sudan prepares for the Paris conference on investment in Sudan.
In a statement issued yesterday, Georgieva explained that the plan relies on a broad effort of IMF member countries , which includes cash grants and the IMF s internal resources.
“This marks a critical step in helping Sudan advance the process of normalising relations with the international community and make progress towards achieving debt relief under the Heavily-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative , Georgieva said.
May 11 - 2021 KHARTOUM / PORT SUDAN
The Minister of Finance, the Sudanese Pound and the US Dollar - cartoon by Omar Dafallah (RD)
The US Dollar rate reached new highs as its exchange value increased by two Pounds in a week. Meanwhile, the economic wing of the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a gold stock market and an agricultural crops stock market yesterday.
The US Dollar rate again jumped to an unprecedented high yesterday as the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) announced SDG 404.4027 for purchase and SDG406.4247 for sale, an increase of two Sudanese Pounds in a week.
The El Baraka Bank recorded the highest price for buying and selling US Dollars, as it determined SDG407 for purchase and SDG409 for sale.
May 11, 2021
Lyna Mohamad
Reactions have been mixed following the announcement of a directive on beef pricing issued by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE).
One woman lamented that the price hike has led some restaurants to take beef dishes off their menu, adding that “it would be great if the authorities could restore the pricing to pre-COVID-19 days.”
Sharing the sentiment was a housewife who used to pay BND9 per kilogramme for beef. These days, her refrigerator is void of beef, as she deems the pricing to be too high.
A restaurateur who chose to remain anonymous said, “Putting it at a ceiling price may be okay for some consumers. However, for restaurant operators like us, we have to adjust and look at the demand. We cannot simply increase the price of our beef items, as it may disappoint our patrons.”