World Bank Faults FG’s Optimism on Economic Recovery

• World Bank Faults FG’s Optimism on Economic Recovery

The World Bank yesterday faulted the federal government’s optimism about the nation’s recovery from economic recession, saying Nigeria’s economic recovery remains fragile with a high degree of risk.

Four days ago, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun averred that the nation’s economy was already coming out of the economic recession. Speaking at a town hall meeting held in Abuja, Adeosun said: “Nigeria is coming out of recession; we are beginning to see the signs and we will come out to become stronger.”

A similar optimism was expressed last month by the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele while speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the entire leadership of the Senate. He said: “We are very much optimistic that by the end of the second quarter or latest third quarter this year, we should be out of recession that we are in right now”.

The World Bank however faulted this optimism in Bi-annual Economic Update released yesterday. The Bank said that while it maintains its forecast that Nigeria could return to positive economic growth in 2017, it believes the recovery is fragile due to risk associated with the nation’s oil sector.

It stated: “Growth is forecast to return into positive territory in 2017, largely on the back of recovery in the oil sector as the government intensifies efforts to restore peace and stability in the Niger Delta, improve its Joint Venture (JV) relationships with international oil companies while strong growth in the agricultural sector continues. However, given the risks associated with the oil sector, recovery is fraught with a high degree of fragility and risks; notably from future shocks to the oil price or further unrest in the Niger Delta, which is not yet fully stabilized, as well as from the incomplete implementation of new JV cash call arrangements.”

The Bank however pointed out that: “Nigeria can build on the oil-driven economic recovery anticipated for it in 2017 by strengthening its macroeconomic policy framework and implementing the structural reforms needed to diversify the economy and break out of a boom and bust cycle.”

Speaking on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), according to the World Bank statement, Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director for Nigeria opined that: “The ERGP, if implemented successfully, would lead to expanded transportation infrastructure, the increased reliability of supply of power by restoring financial viability to the power sector, an improved business environment, improved educational attainment, strengthened public institutions, and improved transparency and anti-corruption.”

The World Bank economic update on Nigeria also noted that over the last four decades, Nigeria’s GDP growth rate has failed to keep pace with those of more developed economies, an experience common among commodity exporters. More so, oil has continued to dominate its growth pattern but the volatility of oil-dependent growth imposes welfare costs, which impede progress in social and economic development, as was very clear over the last year.

A cross-country analysis of the determinants of growth carried out for the report underscores the importance of sound macroeconomic management and stability for growth, while confirming that inflation, government consumption, and currency misalignment (over-valuation) are negatively correlated with growth.