Business News
Coronavirus: CBN advises Nigerians to go cashless ahead deadline
The CBN has advised Nigerians to adopt alternative payment methods like electronic transfers to avoid the spread of Coronavirus.
In view of the prevailing fears of Coronavirus outbreak, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians to forego cash transactions and adopt alternative payment methods like electronic transfers to avoid the spread of the virus.
CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
He pointed out that one of the ways people could contract the disease was by touching an infected surface or object and then touching one’s mouth, nose or sensitive body parts. In view of this, he said, it was safer for Nigerians to adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic transfers, internet banking, USSD transfers, use of mobile banking apps, etc, to avoid contracting or spreading the disease.
[READ MORE: REMINDER: Nationwide implementation of cashless policy starts April 1st)
Okoroafor noted that these alternative payment methods came with benefits, were well developed and worked well.
He said: ”Its efficiency has minimised liquidity, settlement, systemic credit and operational risks which were inherent in financial transactions. It is secured, reliable, accessible, prompt and cost effective to meet all users’ needs. Nigerians should use it.’’
He added that the Naira note is one surface that different people come in contact with on daily basis, and advised that it would also be wise for users to wash hands after handling money, before touching food. This is particularly important for people, who constantly handle food to be eaten by others.
The CBN’s spokesperson reiterated the need for Nigerians to handle the Naira with care and pride, describing it as a symbol of our identity and value. He warned Nigerians against stepping on, squeezing, defacing or staining the naira notes. Okoroafor also warned that it should not be sold or counterfeited.
READ MORE: CBN says banks create N2 trillion new loans in 6 months
The CBN’s cashless policy was announced in September 2019 through a circular that was issued by the apex bank and is set to commence full implementation on the 1st of April, 2020.
The cashless policy comes with extra charges for customers whose deposit or withdrawals exceed the limits set by that Apex bank.
Macro-Economic News
Consumers overall confidence index dipped by 25.0% Y-o-Y- CBN
According to the latest Consumer Expectations Survey Report for Q3, 2020, consumers’ overall confidence index dipped to -21.2 points.
The consumers’ overall confidence index dipped to -21.2 points as at the third quarters of 2020(Q3,2020), down by 25.0%, from 3.8 points it recorded in the corresponding period last year. This is according to the latest Consumer Expectations Survey Report for Q3, 2020
What this means: The slip in outlook indicates that consumers were pessimistic in their outlook for Q3 2020. Respondents attributed this unfavourable outlook to declining economic conditions, family financial situation and declining family income.
The consumers were however optimistic in their outlook for the next quarter and next 12 months with indices of 10.1 and 30.5 points, respectively. This positive outlook could be attributed to the expected increase in net household income, an anticipated improvement in Nigeria’s economic conditions and expectations to save a bit and/or have plenty over savings in the next quarter and the next 12 months
Why this matter: The pandemic negatively impacted consumers’ income and businesses. Hence, the CBN wanted to gauge the impact of this pandemic on their confidence and outlook, both in the past and going forward, through their quarterly survey.
Other Key Highlights:
- The unemployment index for the next 12 months remained positive at 35.4 points in Q3 2020, indicating that consumers generally expect the unemployment rate to rise in the next one year.
- With indices of 20.8 and 5.3 points, consumers expect the borrowing rate to rise and anticipate the naira to appreciate in the next 12 months.
- Overall buying intention index in the next twelve months stood at 29.7 index points, indicating that most consumers do not intend to buy big-ticket items in the next 12 months. The buying intention indices for consumer durables, motor vehicles and house & lot were below 50 points, which shows that respondents have no plans to make these purchases in the next twelve months.
What you should know
The Overall consumer confidence index is computed as the average of the three indices, namely: Economic Condition, Family Financial Situation and Family Income.
a. Economic Condition refers to the perception of the respondent regarding the general economic condition of the country.
b. Family Financial Situation refers to the level of savings, investments, other assets including cash at hand and outstanding debts.
c. Family Income includes primary income and receipts from other sources received by all family members as participants in any economic activity or as recipients of transfers, pensions, grants, and the like
Energy
Power: Nigeria records transmission peak of 5,459.50MW – TCN
TCN has announced that it hit a peak transmission of 5,459.50MW on the 28th, October 2020.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that it hit a peak transmission of 5,459.50MW on the 28th, October 2020.
This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement by Ms Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN.
5️⃣,4️⃣5️⃣9️⃣.5️⃣0️⃣ Megawatts💡↗️
Good Job from the Men and Women of the Transmission Company of Nigeria and everyone within the Power Sector.
— Engr. Sale Mamman (@EngrSMamman) October 29, 2020
She said Nigeria hit the milestone on October 28th and surpassed the earlier record of 5,420.30MW achieved on August 18.
What you should know
Nairametrics reported that the Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman, disclosed that Nigeria’s installed grid power generation capacity has grown from 8,000MW to 13,000MW under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The new peak surpasses the 5,420.30MW achieved on Aug. 18 by 39.20MW,” Ms Mbah said.
The Acting Managing Director, Mr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, commended all the players in the power sector value chain for the feat.
He attributed the gradual but steady improvement in the quantum of power delivery to collaboration by the sector players, as well as, the unbridled effort by the Federal Government – through the Ministry of Power – in setting the right environment for seamless operations.
The Acting Managing Director said the company will continue workings towards improved power transmission across the nation.
Nairametrics reported in August that the Federal Government of Nigeria revealed that the Siemens $2 billion power deal, under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) will save the nation over $1 billion annually.
Structure of the PPI funding:
- 85% from a consortium of banks guaranteed by the German government through credit insurance firm, Euler Hermes.
- 15% of the FG’s counterpart funding.
- 2–3 years moratorium.
- 10–12 years repayment at concessionary interest rates.
Financial Services
CBN grants Mortgage Refinancing Companies approval to refinance Non-member banks
The CBN has expanded access to mortgage financing by removing restrictions on refinancing mortgages earlier imposed.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has granted approval to Mortgage Refinancing Companies (MRC), to re-finance non-member banks.
This is contained in a circular referenced FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/07/056 and signed by Ibrahim Tukur, the Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN.
The circular improved on the earlier provisions contained in section 7.3.1.5 which states that “A mortgage refinance company (MRC) shall not, without the prior approval of the CBN, extend total outstanding credit to any single borrower, which is equal to or more than twenty times the value of the borrower’s shares with the MRC or 25 percent of its shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses.”
READ MORE: Unity bank wants to be seen, but time is running low
READ: NFF receives $1 million from FIFA as COVID-19 palliative
What this means
Based on the provisions contained in the latest circular, MRCs are now free and legally permitted to refinance the qualifying mortgages of banks and all other non-members ( that do not hold equity), subject to meeting all other relevant requirements specified in the framework.
In a nutshell, the restriction on non-member mortgage lenders from refinancing their mortgages with MRCs has been removed.
READ: MFBs, DMBs, others get new lending limit directive from CBN
Why this matters
Prior to the provisions contained in the latest circular, CBN had expressed fears that provisions of section 7.3.1.5 negatively impacts the mortgages sub-sector, as it constrains the MRCS from refinancing the mortgages of non-shareholder banks. Therefore, the new order will help to remove the restrictions already highlighted.
In lieu of this, the latest circular stated that the provision of section 7.3.1 5 is hereby revised to “the MRC shall not, without prior approval of the CBN, extend total outstanding credit to any single borrower, which is equal to or more than 25 percent of its shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses,” the circular reads.
Consumers overall confidence index dipped by 25.0% Y-o-Y- CBN
Power: Nigeria records transmission peak of 5,459.50MW – TCN
NITDA warns the public to beware of unsolicited mails
CBN grants Mortgage Refinancing Companies approval to refinance Non-member banks
UACN Property Development Company Plc: Decrease in sale of property stock, others depletes revenue
COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
Daily Parallel Market Exchange Rate – ₦460/$1
Edlyft raises over $1.4 million venture capital during pandemic
Desmond Elliot apologises for addressing the youths as “Children”
Apple drops 4%, iPhone sales slump
Ochiabuto emeka
March 21, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Are we truly ready for this cashless stuff. Were I have been fighting with my bank to reverse a pos “declined transaction” which was debited from my account since December 2019, with all clear evidence and facts and claim by staff that their hands are tied by decision from head office.
My point is not to criticize, but why wait the last minute, and are we ready, not even truly ready?