Business
Kogi govt denies imposing bread tax on bakeries, sellers
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has denied any knowledge of any plan by the state government to impose a tax on loaves of bread.
He described as an embarrassment the report credited to the state government as endorsing a new tax to be paid by bakery operators and sellers on every loaf of bread.
Bello made the clarification through the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, in a statement.
He said, “We have just seen a purported consultancy agreement between one of our ministries and a private firm to impose an ill-conceived levy on bread in the state.
“For the records, neither the governor nor the state executive council has imagined or proposed such a devilish tax regime, how much less imposing same on any food or essential commodity, not to mention bread which is a staple and the lifeline of many a household.”
The governor added that such a claim was “in fact, an embarrassment to the state government.”
The deputy governor revealed that his boss directed him to debunk the news to underscore how serious government considered the disinformation.
“I am directed by His Excellency to give the lie to news of an alleged tax imposed on each loaf of bread to be sold in Kogi State. There is no iota of truth in the claims that we have approved such wickedness, because we have not and cannot.”
He added that Governor Bello’s responses to issues impacting the welfare of his people during the COVID-19 pandemic as a proof that such a tax ran counter to everything the administration stood for.
“It is well-documented in the media that Governor Yahaya Bello has fought powerful forces, more than any other governor perhaps, to keep his people safe. As COVID-19 ravaged the country and the world, he has mobilised them for lifestyle changes that defeated the virus in the state.
“He spared them lockdowns and the inherent disruptions to their lives and livelihoods characteristic of COVID responses in other places. He scrupulously obeyed WHO and NCDC guidelines to provide testing to high risk individuals.”
Onoja said Governor Yahaya Bello remained undaunted because of his desire to protect his people at all costs.
He added, “Today, the results of my governor’s novel approach to the novel coronavirus are evident for all to see on every daily update given by the federal authorities.
“Kogi State sits at the bottom of that list, and even those five cases allocated to us are controversial at best. To put it mildly, we have had no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kogi State.
“About three months ago, we rolled out the Kogi Care Initiative, for which Council approved N1.56 billion as a post-COVID economic stimulus and recovery programme customised for different sections of our people – the poor, the elderly and the MSMEs.”
He therefore rejected the idea that “we can now impose a tax on individual loaves of bread sold in the state.”
The deputy governor said that no additional financial burden would be imposed on Kogi citizens and assured that “any business which has met the regulatory requirements for doing business in Kogi State including payment of routine tax is entitled to operate freely, and that includes bakeries and bread traders.”
Business
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Bureau de Change (BDC) operators temporary permission to purchase up to $25,000 weekly in foreign exchange (FX) from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Bureau de Change (BDC) operators temporary permission to purchase up to $25,000 weekly in foreign exchange (FX) from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
This move, detailed in a circular dated December 19, 2024, is designed to meet seasonal retail demand for FX during the holiday period.
The circular was signed by T.G. Allu, on behalf of the Acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department.
The arrangement will be in effect from December 19, 2024, to January 30, 2025.
Under the directive, BDCs may purchase FX from a single Authorized Dealer of their choice, provided they fully fund their accounts before accessing the market.
Transactions to occur at the prevailing NFEM rate
The transactions will occur at the prevailing NFEM rate, and BDCs are required to adhere to a maximum 1% spread when pricing FX for retail end-users.
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All transactions conducted under this scheme must be reported to the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department.
The circular read in part:
“In order to meet expected seasonal demand for foreign exchange, the CBN is allowing a temporary access for all existing BDCs to the NFEM for the purchase of FX from Authorised Dealers, subject to a weekly cap of USD 25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand dollars only).
This window will be open between December 19, 2024 to January 30, 2025.
“BDC operators can purchase FX under this arrangement from only one Authorized Dealer of their choice and will be required to fully fund their account before accessing the market at the prevailing NFEM rate. All transactions with BDCs should be reported to the Trade and Exchange department, and a maximum spread of 1% is allowed on the pricing offered by BDCs to retail end-users.”
The CBN assured the general public that PTA (Personal Travel Allowance) and BTA (Business Travel Allowance) remain available through banks for legitimate travel and business needs.”
These transactions are to be conducted at “market-determined exchange rates” within the NFEM framework.
This initiative reflects the CBN’s strategy to stabilize the FX market and manage seasonal surges in demand.
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
Business
Bitcoin price crashes to $95,000
Bitcoin price crashes to $95,000
The cryptocurrency market experienced sharp declines after the United States Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis point rate cut.
Bitcoin’s price dropped from its record high of $108,267 to a multi-day low of $95,000 within 36 hours.
Amid this turmoil, Paper-hand traders are rushing to sell their assets while the experienced ones are taking advantage of the dip to increase their portfolios.
Bitcoin price drops after Federal Reserve announces rate cut
Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points for the third time this year.
- The announcement led to Bitcoin’s price falling to a multi-day low of $95,000, marking a $13,000 drop within 36 hours.
- This pullback followed a recent record high of $108,268 earlier in the week.
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested the central bank may halt further rate reductions due to recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.
“Today was a closer call, but we decided it was the right move,” Powell said during a press conference. While rate cuts typically benefit cryptocurrencies due to their risky asset status, this decision appears to have introduced caution among buyers.
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Crypto analysts predict that Bitcoin could face increased volatility in the short term. On-chain data reveals selling pressure has eased since November, but caution remains high. Buyers are closely monitoring Bitcoin’s support levels, particularly around the $100,000 mark, with potential resistance seen at $110,000 in the coming weeks.
Some buyers anticipate a “Santa Rally” a term used to describe the Bullish performance of bitcoin during the Christmas holidays. Historical data on this notion has given mixed outcomes.
In previous halving years, Bitcoin often surged during Christmas week, with price moves of 11% to 25% recorded in 2017, 2020, and 2024.
However, analysts warn that current market conditions, including macroeconomic uncertainty and a cautious Fed, could dampen such expectations.
United States Bitcoin strategic reserve in doubts
Aside from the federal rate cuts announced by Powell. He also mentioned that the Central Bank is not allowed to hold Bitcoin unless approved by Congress.
- This statement cast shadows of doubt on the proposed Bitcoin reserve by Donald Trump during his campaign days.
- The President-Elect last week confirmed that his administration hopes to set up a strategic Bitcoin reserve and pilot the dominance of the US in the Global crypto space.
- The FOMC chairman’s speech about the Central Bank not being able to hold Bitcoin cast doubts on the proposed Goal by the Donald Trump administration.
Bitcoin price crashes to $95,000
Business
Dangote reduces petrol price to ₦899.50/litre
Dangote reduces petrol price to ₦899.50/litre
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the price of its petrol t to ₦899.50 per litre.
Making this known in a statement on Thursday was Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the Dangote Group.
He said, “Africa’s first privately-owned oil refinery, which previously lowered the price to N970 per litre on November 24, has now announced a new price of N899.50 per litre. This reduction is designed to ease transport costs during the festive period.”
Adding, Chiejina said, “In addition to the holiday discount, Dangote Petroleum Refinery is allowing consumers to purchase an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre bought on a cash basis.”
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“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM. Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”
The statement said the refinery was committed to making sure Nigerians have access to premium quality petroleum products that are competitively priced which are also environmentally and engine friendly.
Dangote reduces petrol price to ₦899.50/litre
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