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Customs reiterates readiness for easy release of auctioned vehicles, containers

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML) Command, has reiterated its readiness to facilitate easy release of vehicles and containers won by bidders in the ongoing-electronic auction process of overtime cargoes.

The Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, Comptroller Saidu Yusuf, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by the Chief Superintendent of Customs, Muhammad Yakubu, the Public Relations Officer of the command.

Yusuf described the process of auctioning through the online portal https://auction.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng as very seamless, robust, under-utilised and efficient enough to accommodate more entries.

On the safety of vehicles in PTML, Yusuf said operators of the terminal place high priority on security.

He, however, assured the winners of getting their vehicles the exact way they were imported into the country.

Yusuf said the command had zero incidences of vandalism and theft in the terminal.

“PTML command is prepared and everything has been put in place to serve beneficiaries who bidded and won.

“Winners are expected to present their documents and after paying the required amount, the officers confirm the beneficiary or the winner of that bid, then the beneficiary proceeds to the terminal operator to pick their vehicle.

“Like we have been saying everytime, PTML is one of the safest places cargo can be kept, it is not just a terminal, it is a model port and the security is very tight as one is verified before accessing the port,” he said.

While congratulating the winners of the 190 vehicles from the PTML, Yusuf said the system opens for bidding every Tuesday from noon to 6.00 p.m. to verify persons with Tax Identification Numbers generated from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, amongst other conditions.

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On the level of transparency of the system, Yusuf said “you don’t need to know anyone as the people who have come forward are Nigerians from different locations and most of them never knew anyone in the NCS or port environment.”

He said some of the winners who reside in different parts of Nigeria were on the ground in Lagos to receive their vehicles at the PTML Mile 2 terminal.

A few of the winners who spoke shortly after receiving their vehicles described the process as easy, transparent and commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for making it possible for all Nigerians irrespective of class and location to benefit from the auction.

Mr Godwin Aguddah, one of the winners from Abuja, applauded the initiative.

Aguddah urged other government agencies to take a leaf from customs in the area of transparently using technology to promote trade.

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Investors gain N377bn on NGX amid bullish trend

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The Nigerian stock market on Thursday rebounded with a gain of N377 billion on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.

Market capitalisation rose by N377 billion or 0.58 per cent to close at N65.847 trillion, compared with N65.470 trillion posted on Wednesday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) climbed by 601.25 points or 0.58 per cent, to settle at 104,788.25 from N104,187.00 earlier recorded.

The uptrend was driven by strong buying interest in medium and large capitalised stocks such as Caverton Offshore Support Group, VFD Group, Neimeth, among others

Meanwhile, the market breadth closed positive with 47 gainers and 11 losers

On the gainers’ chart, FG152028S1 grew by 100 per cent to close at N100.00 while Caverton Offshore Support Group increased by 10 per cent to close at N2.31 per share.

VFD Group soared by 9.92 per cent to close at N79.80 and Neimeth International Pharmaceutical gained by 9.92 per cent to close at N2.88 per share.

Veritas Kapital Assurance grew by 9.57 per cent to close at N1.03 per share.

On the losers’ chart, ABC Transport dropped by 10 per cent to close at N1.26 while Eterna fell by 9.90 per cent to close at N32.30 per share.

CAP Plc declined by 7.45 per cent to close at N43.50 and Regalins lost by 3.64 per cent to close at 53k per share.

Also, the Nigerian Exchange Group dropped by 3.23 per cent, to close at N34.50 per share.

A total of 432.56 million shares worth N9.719 billion were exchanged across 12,027 transactions.

This is compared to 376.61 million shares valued at N11.89 billion that was exchanged across 11,576 transactions earlier.

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Transactions in the shares of Access Corporation topped the activity chart with 77.861 million shares worth N1.62 billion.

Ellah Lakes followed with 44.24 million shares valued at N132.76 million while Fidelity Bank transacted 32.46 million shares worth N614.78 million.

Zenith Bank traded 30.20 million shares valued at N1.466 billion and United Bank for Africa sold 20.45 million shares worth N718 million. (NAN)

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Renaissance Energy assumes Shell’s liabilities, says NOSDRA

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The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) confirmed Shell’s liabilities will transfer to Renaissance Africa Energy after its acquisition of SPDC.

NOSDRA Director-General, Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit by Renaissance Africa Energy’s Managing Director, Tony Attah.

Renaissance, a consortium of independent oil firms, has completed the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria.

The acquisition gives Renaissance control of Shell’s onshore assets across the Niger Delta region.

Woke said Renaissance must address environmental issues resulting from Shell’s past operations and honour all liabilities incurred.

He assured the agency’s continued collaboration with Renaissance, particularly on projects like the Bodo cleanup and related efforts.

“As regulators, NOSDRA ensures oil operations align with international environmental standards and national laws,” Woke emphasised.

He added, “This acquisition does not exclude Shell’s responsibilities — they are now Renaissance’s to bear.”

He urged Renaissance to prioritise environmental sustainability and energy security while complying with all regulations.

He also noted the significance of abiding by the Polluter Pay Principle and addressing oil spills caused by third-party activities.

Earlier, the Renaissance MD clarified the company is not replacing Shell, but has a distinct mission.

“Our aim is to lead Africa in clean energy generation and security,” Attah stated.

He promised a viable partnership with NOSDRA and strong commitment to environmental preservation.

Attah identified energy poverty, environmental conservation and regulatory adherence as key industry challenges.

He outlined Renaissance’s focus on clean, affordable energy, especially natural gas, to fuel Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The company seeks NOSDRA’s partnership in achieving its goals while ensuring regulatory compliance. (NAN)

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CBN: Petroleum Imports Declined 23.2%, Non-Oil Imports Fell 12.6% In 2024

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year.

The BOP is a record of all financial transactions made between a country and the rest of the world over a specific period—usually a year or a quarter.

CBN, in a statement signed on Wednesday by Hakama Sidi-Ali, its acting director of corporate communication, said the balance of payments in 2024 represents a surplus compared to the deficit of $3.34 billion recorded in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.

The apex bank said the improvement reflects the impact of wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade performance, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

According to the CBN, the current and capital accounts recorded a surplus of $17.22 billion in 2024, driven largely by a goods trade surplus of $13.17 billion.

“Petroleum imports declined by 23.2% to $14.06 billion, while non-oil imports fell by 12.6% to $25.74 billion,” CBN said.

The decline in petroleum products imports occurred the same year Dangote Petroleum Refinery commenced petrol production, providing oil marketers an alternative to importation.

Dangote refinery began to sell petrol to the Nigerian market on September 20.

On the export side, CBN said gas exports rose by 48.3 percent to $8.66 billion, while non-oil exports increased by 24.6 percent to $7.46 billion.

“Remittance inflows remained resilient, with personal remittances rising by 8.9% to $20.93 billion. International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) inflows surged by 43.5% to $4.73 billion, up from $3.30 billion in 2023, reflecting stronger engagement from the Nigerian diaspora,” CBN said.

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“Official development assistance also rose by 6.2% to $3.37 billion.”

More so, the apex bank said Nigeria recorded a net acquisition of financial assets totalling $12.12 billion.

“Portfolio investment inflows more than doubled, increasing by 106.5% to $13.35 billion, while resident foreign currency holdings grew by $5.41 billion, indicating stronger confidence in domestic economic stability,” the apex bank said.

“Although foreign direct investment fell by 42.3% to $1.08 billion, the overall financial account posted notable gains.”

CBN also reported that the country’s external reserves increased by $6.0 billion to $40.19 billion by year-end 2024, further strengthening its external buffer.

According to the financial regulator, net errors and omissions narrowed significantly by 79.5 percent to negative $5.10 billion in 2024 – down from $24.90 billion in 2023,

The development, the apex bank said, reflects progress in data capture, transparency, and reporting integrity.

Commenting on the report, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the positive turnaround in “our external finances is evidence of effective policy implementation and our unwavering commitment to macroeconomic stability”.

Carsoso also said the surplus marks an important step forward for Nigeria’s economy, benefiting investors, businesses, and everyday Nigerians alike.

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