Reducing COVID-19 Burden on Citizens

The President of the Republic of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba; has taken a number of sweeping measures geared at lessening the burden of his compatriots brought about by the ravaging Coronavirus.

Addressing the nation on April 3, 2020; Ali Bongo acknowledged the presence of the COVID-19 in the country, noting that people are worried about their children, parents, friends and for themselves.

“It is natural and understandable. The state will do all to protect you,” he assured.

He said, based on the recommendations of the scientific council and in order to efficaciously reinforce the fight against COVID-19, he instructed the mass testing of the population, a method today recommended by WHO and which is proving successful; the creation of 60 centres in the national territory to conduct tests; and free testing in all public structures on a date to be set by government.
The health measures, according to him, will enable his compatriots to know their status and if they are tested positive of COVID-19; they will be protected as well as their close ones.

“As a precautionary measure, I have instructed the Prime Minister, Head of Government to take measures for the confinement of big Libreville in the days ahead in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the national territory,” he maintained.

He acknowledged the consequences of the virus on the daily lives of Gabonese including the fact that children are no longer going to school, people are not working, businesses have been shut down; (some) enterprises operating at a slow pace and with the economic sector highly impacted (negatively) by the pandemic.

“This is why in concertation with government and taking into account this period of uncertainty affecting our compatriots, I have decided to put in place massive exceptional assistance measures,” Ali Bongo declared.

In the social domain, the Gabonese President decided that, for highly exposed and economically vulnerable persons, the state will inject FCFA 4 billion per month for their electricity bills and FCFA 2 billion for all bills covering water consumption.

The measure goes into effect immediately and will remain so until further notice.

“To reduce your burden at these difficult moments, all the landlords will suspend, during the confinement period, the reception of rents from all persons without income based on a list to be published by the government. An aid fund of FCFA 2.5 billion shall be put in place to make up for losses suffered by small proprietors linked to the above measures,” Ali Bongo declared.

He also decided that, from this week and until further notice, land transport run by public companies shall be completely free for all the users.

The purchasing power of the workers will be preserved through the provision of unemployment technical allowance representing between 50 and 70 percent of their basic salary.

Meanwhile, persons with low incomes of between FCFA 80 000 and FCFA 150 000 will be fully maintained.

The President said the pandemic concerns everyone and in that light, a fund has been created where people have been called upon, irrespective of their social status, to chip in their contributions in solidarity.

In order to bring in food aid to the needy and people in emergency situation, the state will put in FCFA 5 billion to create a food bank.
In the economic domain and in order to assist petit traders and service providers, Ali Bongo decided that, the cost of their business licenses and synthetic taxes (impôt libératoire) shall be cut down by 50 percent while an emergency funding counter of FCFA 225 billion has been created to immediately handle the urgent needs of treasury of enterprises.
On the other hand, enterprises that have stopped functioning or are facing enormous difficulties because of the crisis will be given moratorium on all loans with the banks and refunds will eventually be done without any penalty.

Tax deductions shall be accorded to citizen-friendly enterprises that will keep jobs as a demonstration of solidarity and exemplary behaviour in crisis situation the country is going through.

In addition, the Ali Bongo also decided that exceptional allowances given to workers who are exercising their professional activities during the confinement period will be tax-free.

“Practical modalities for all the measures announced, will be precised by government in the days ahead,” he noted.

“This health crisis affecting our population is also an occasion for the state to improve on the orthodox management of its finances. In-depth work shall be done on state treasury by a better centralisation of the financial data, a global review of all the projects realised with external funding and a complete overhaul of our balancing system.

The final objective always being that, the public funds are properly used for your interest,” the Gabonese President told his citizens.

According to him, the measures taken would satisfy their priority needs of health, employment, water, electricity, lodging and transportation.

“In Gabon, nobody will be left aside; my duty is to protect you. Together, we shall overcome this crisis for it is a challenge that will render us more united,” Ali Bongo declared.