FG grants Dangote exemption from land border closure – Newstrends
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FG grants Dangote exemption from land border closure

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The Nigerian government has allowed Dangote Cement to resume exports across its land borders, raising hope that Nigeria may be opening up trade with neighbours after a year-long blockade.

President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration gave its authorisation for Africa’s biggest producer to export cement to Niger and Togo in the third quarter for the first time in ten months, Michel Puchercos, chief executive officer, said on an investor call in Lagos. The export was made possible “through authorization given by this administration,” he said.

The exemption to Dangote Cement is seen as a softening of the government’s position on a border closure that started in August last year, and could open the way for other businesses to fully resume exports across the country’s land barriers.

Nigerian authorities closed borders with neighbouring countries including Benin and Niger to curb smuggling and boost local production. Although the blockade encouraged the consumption of locally grown produce such as rice, it hurt factories across West Africa, which rely on Nigeria’s market of 200 million people.

Dangote resumed land export with “restricted volumes,” and plans to grow the trade using the sea channels, according to Puchercos.

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Naira trades at N1,415/$ on parallel market

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Naira trades at N1,415/$ on parallel market

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,415 per dollar in the parallel market, from N1,410 per dollar on Monday.

Similarly, the Naira depreciated in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM, to N1,416.57 per dollar.

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Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,416.57 per dollar from N1,354.21 per dollar on Monday, indicating N62.36 depreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates narrowed to N1.57 per dollar from N55.79 per dollar on Monday.

Naira trades at N1,415/$ on parallel market

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CBN extends suspension of cash deposit charges by bank customers

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CBN extends suspension of cash deposit charges by bank customers

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks to extend suspension of charges on cash deposit until September 30 this year.
This directive was conveyed through a circular dated May 6, signed by Adetona Adedeji, the Director of Banking Supervision at the apex bank.
The banks had reintroduced fees for deposits exceeding N500,000 for individuals and corporate account holders on May 1.

Following the banks’ decision, individuals were set to incur a two per cent charge on deposits exceeding N500,000, while corporate account holders faced the same levy on deposits surpassing N3 million.
The new circular read, “Please refer to our letter dated December 11, 2023, referenced BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/016/023 on the above subject, suspending processing charges imposed on cash deposits above N500,000 for individuals and N3,000,000 for corporates as contained in the ‘Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions’ issued on December 20, 2019.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria hereby extends the suspension of the processing fees of two per cent and three per cent previously charged on all cash deposits above these thresholds until September 30, 2024.”

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Fuel: Independent marketers introduce new pump price

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Fuel: Independent marketers introduce new pump price

New reports indicate a surge in fuel pump prices across the nation, with both major and independent marketers adjusting their rates.

Investigations conducted in Abuja and Lagos reveal a significant disparity in petrol prices between stations owned by major and independent marketers.

Major marketers are keeping their prices relatively steady, whereas independent operators have increased their rates by 20 to 30%.

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Presently, major marketers are vending at an average of ₦605 per litre, while independent marketers are setting prices at around ₦730 per litre.

Independent marketers attribute the price hike to a breakdown in the system of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), pointing to advantageous Business-to-Business transactions benefiting major marketers.

They clarify that independent marketers no longer have direct access to imported petroleum products at depot prices.

Further investigations indicate that while petrol is available at stations throughout Lagos, prices have not decreased.

A motorist, Olatunde, disclosed purchasing petrol for ₦850 per litre at a station along the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, despite the absence of queues. He noted this as a significant increase compared to the previous ₦630 per litre.

Fuel: Independent marketers introduce new pump price

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