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DMO Fails To Raise N117bn, CBN Tightens Policy

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The Debt Management Office has failed to raise N117bn from the sales of Federal Government]s N225bn Bond programme as subscription levels weakened in its October FGN bond auction.

The auction document on the DMO’s website showed that the agency offered N225bn for subscription to investors but raised N107.88bn through re-openings of the 14.55 per cent FGN APR 2029, 12.50 per cent FGN APR 2032 and 16.25 per cent 2037 FGN bonds.

Unlike previous auctions with records of oversubscription, the total subscription level recorded at the October auction was the lowest so far in 2022 as the DMO struggled to secure a total subscription of N119.18bn.

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It suffered an under-subscription of about N117bn, which may be seen as a loss to the Federal Government’s effort to finance its budget deficit.

READ ALSO: DMO Offers N225bn Bonds For Subscription

The development came against the backdrop of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent discount window tightening.

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The CBN recently insisted that certain categories of its authorised dealers are not allowed to access the discount window on specified transactions.

The central bank stated this in a circular to all dealers on the access to the discount window, which was dated October 7, 2022, and signed by the apex bank’s Director, Financial Markets Department, Dr Angela sere-Ejembi.

It specifically reminded participants with successful bids at the Open Market Operations auctions to refrain from accessing the discount window on the auction date.

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The apex bank warned that henceforth, failure for non-compliance to the directive shall result in the reversal of the allotment.

Similarly, the bank emphasised that successful bids at the government securities auctions, including the Nigerian Treasury Bills, FGN Bonds, and Sukuk, are not permitted to access the CBN discounted window on the settlement date.

The CBN explained that the move was necessitated by the non-adherence to the provisions guiding access to the discount window despite two previous circulars on the subject in 2012 and 2016.

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It appears that the recent discount window tightening has impacted the FGN Bonds at the primary market auction, forcing local banks to play safe as a possible breach of CBN discount window rules attracts severe financial penalties.

Reacting, an investment research analyst at Meristem Securities Limited, Mr Damilare Ojo, said that there were a number of reasons for the low bond subscription, including the CBN tightening policy.

He said, “It is very low, unlike what we have been seeing in terms of subscription. One reason is the CBN tightening policy, which has reduced liquidity from participating institutions, particularly banks.

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“Also, when looking at the system generally, liquidity is very low. The market seems to be saying that for the government to get funds for its budget, it needs to up its game.

“Furthermore, in recent times, there have been speculations that the DMO wants to securitise the ways and means, which is over N20tn, competing with the 2023 budget, which is a huge amount. So, it seems people are holding back from that bond auction to see whether they will be better opportunities.”

Also, reacting to this, a research analyst at Atlas Portfolios Limited, Mr Olaide Baanu, said that the low subscription could be a result of higher rates in secondary markets.

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READ ALSO: DMO Reveals How Petrol Subsidy Raised 2022 Borrowing By N1trn

He said, “Since the CBN began the rate hikes to curb inflation, rates in the fixed income secondary market began to trend upward and this poses reasonable returns for investors.

“However, the recent under-subscription of DMO N225bn offer could be attributed to higher rates in the secondary market compared to the rates presented by the DMO. Also, many investors are taking advantage of the exchange rate to invest in dollar-denominated funds.”

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He also noted that this shortfall might not affect the Federal Government’s ability to finance its budget deficit as the government can source money elsewhere, like through borrowing from the CBN.

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Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

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Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

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He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

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He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

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“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

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JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

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Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

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READ ALSO:Pipeline Surveillance Contracts Decentralisation May Fuel Chaos In N’Delta, Itsekiri Youths Warn

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

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READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

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Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

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Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price

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Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

READ ALSO:Dangote Sugar Announces South New CEO

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This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.

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