THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN),has indicated that fiscal policy gaps and other factors outside its control have constrained the ability of its policies to have an impact on price stability in the economy.


The apex bank in its post Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) report expressed worry at the developments in the inflationary pressure since this year amidst its monetary policies aimed at curtailing excess liquidity, one of the main drivers of inflationary pressures.

In the report CBN stated ‘’the drivers of the current upward inflationary spiral were of a transient nature and mostly outside the direct control of monetary policy. Consequently, the opportunity for further policy manoeuvre remains largely constrained in the absence of supporting fiscal measures’’.
This would mark the first official position of the apex bank in the emerging economic challenges that appeared to have defied all its efforts in recent months in the area of macroeconomic management.
The general statement of the MPC by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, urged for coordination of monetary, fiscal and structural policies to stimulate output growth, and stabilize the exchange rate.

The last MPC meeting had expressed concern about the gradual but steady increase in headline inflation up to June 2015, and noted that this reflected a rise in both the core and food components of inflation.
Core inflation rose to 8.4 per cent in June from 8.3 per cent in May, and food inflation increased to 10.0 per cent from 9.8 per cent, over the same period. The Committee observed that the uptick in year-to-date inflation rates was traceable to transient factors such as energy, arising from scarcity of petroleum products around the country, poor electricity supply and increased demand for transportation and food, from the build-up to the general elections and the ensuing Easter and Sallah celebrations.

The Committee reiterated its commitment to price stability, and observed that monetary policy would remain tight because of the high liquidity in the system.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, Broad money supply (M2) declined by 0.61 percent in June 2015, below the level at end-December 2014.
The modest decline in money supply reflected the decreases in the net foreign assets of 16.15 per cent and other assets (net) of 21.40 per cent.
During the period under review, money market interest rates were relatively volatile, owing to fluctuations in banking system liquidity.
Average inter-bank call and OBB rates opened at 6.55 and 6.45 per cent on 1st July, 2015 and closed at 26.51 and 21.00 per cent, respectively, on July 23, 2015. Average inter-bank call and OBB rates for the period were 9.83 and 10.23 per cent, respectively.
The seven month steady rise in headline inflation, measured by the Year-on-Year (YoY) change in the All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI), appeared to have been tamed as figures announced two weeks ago by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put inflation rate for July 2015 at 9.2 per cent, same as in June. Headline inflation has been on steady rise since December 2014.

NBS report for July showed a slower increase in price level during the month in Food & Beverages; Utilities & Other Fuels; and Furnishings & Household Equipment Maintenance divisions

Also, the report shows food inflation remained steady at 10.0 per cent in July, the same rate recorded in June.

According to the NBS, high imported food prices and demand from the Ramadan period contributed to the rise in prices in the sub-index, while slower increase in the prices of meats, fish, fruits, and tubers moderated the pace of the increase during the period.
However, core inflation which is the price of all items excluding the price of agricultural produce inched up further by 40 basis points to 8.8 per cent in July, from 8.4per cent in June. According to the NBS, the increase was contributed by the rise in prices in the Transportation, Education, and Miscellaneous Goods & Services divisions.

In its reactions to the inflation report WSTC Financial Services, a Lagos based investment house, stated ‘’we expect reduced system liquidity resulting from the tight monetary policy stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and shrinking consumer spending (an offshoot of dwindling public revenue and slowdown in economic activities) to constrain aggregate demand, and consequently, the rate of increase in demand pull inflation’’.
The inflation report did not only beat forecasts by economy analysts but also left a big question as to what the year-end figures will be in the light of negative developments in the economy.
Previous week, economists at FSDH Merchant Bank Research released their inflation forecast indicating a continued upswing in the inflation rate.

It stated ‘’our model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods and services in July 2015 would increase the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) to 174.64 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.84 per cent. We estimate that the increase in the CCPI in July will produce an inflation rate (year-on-year) of 9.4 per cent higher than the figure recorded in the month of June’’.

The analysts also forecast that the inflation rate for the month of August 2015 is expected to be higher than the July 2015 figure.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/lack-of-fiscal-directives-behind-current-economic-woes-cbn

Even the CBN is confirming that buhari has no economic policy in place.

Pathetic!

NONSENSE

Most ardent Buhari supporters don't know the difference between fiscal and physical without google just like GMB doesn't know the meaning of "inclusive"... Pleas break it down for them!!

I thought the PermSec can do it.
Fiscal policies are as important as monetary.

Why would a Ministry like finance be left on auto-run with PermSec who is not close to the president to read his body language or political intention doing the deal.

A lot of business decisions awaits the appointments of Ministers.
A lot of control limits awaits it.

Ok

We're already in the month. No sweat.

All the steps being taken by the president are necessary to redirect the country's ship that was headed in the wrong direction.

So, we await the cabinet to drive the economy.

Nigeria must there always be commotion haaaaa. kingsolex kiniyi ti sun mi.

We are running a one man government.

President Buhari is embodiment of knowledge hence he don't need a help or at best he needs surrogates.

omowolewa:
I thought the PermSec can do it.
Fiscal policies are as important as monetary.
Why would a Ministry like finance be left on auto-run with PermSec who is not close to the president to read his body language or political intention doing the deal.
A lot of business decisions awaits the appointments of Ministers.
A lot of control limits awaits it.

I tire ooo

Nigeria at a standstill as investors lose N2.7tr and this is just the beginning. The future under Buhari is dire, if only they listened to us before the election.

Things can only get worse as buhari reels out his ministerial list which will be based on the lenght of his final appointees beard.

This administration has since jettisoned the current budget passed by the last senate, has refused to fund existing projects all in the name of probe and is yet to even reel out any infrastructural project of his own.

CUM4WHAT:
NONSENSE

Buffon

Mogidi:
Nigeria at a standstill as investors loses N2.7tr and this is just the beginning. The future under Buhari is dire, if only they listened to us before the election.

Fear not PMB's body language to the rescue, in the fullness of time...

Change, even from worse to better, comes with initial inconvenience.

There's no doubt that the lack of a Finance minister has everything to do with the fiscal policy gaps, however the benefits that would also accrue to the optimised MDA's which would be more efficient, are just as important to our national economy. Already, the closure of the MDA's numerous and uncoordinated revenue accounts in commercial banks is freeing up resources after PMB's order for them to fully implement the TSA policy for example.

The important thing is that the core aspects of these reforms are almost completed and ministers will be appointed in a matter of weeks which would address this particular challenge and facilitate better co-ordination of the nation's economy.

For now, the daura dulllard is directionless.

BishopMagic:

Buffon

is dah ur baptismal name?

fitzmayowa:



Fear not PMB's body language to the rescue, in the fullness of time...

Thanks, I almost forgot the divine power associated with Bubu's body language.