Business

Do Not Allow GSK International Cripple Nigeria’s Business, Group Tells Concerned Authorities, FG

Published

12 months ago

May 16, 2023

Editor

The Consumer Rights Project has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop GlaxoSmikline – GSK’s insider’s dealings that may endanger the lives of Nigerians and rob Nigerian shareholders of their investments.

The group also called on the current Chairman of GSK – Chief E. Onuzo who is an ex-employee of GSK Nigeria to ensure that local shareholders are properly informed of all plans of GSK especially as it impacts the overall health of the business.

The Consumer Rights Project, a Nigerian Think Tank on consumer rights and local content development has decried attempt by the promoters of GSK International, operating in Nigeria, to cripple its Nigerian Business at the detriment of Nigerian shareholders.

They noted that a seemingly calculated attempt by GSK Nigeria’s leading trading partner – GSK International to shrink its Nigeria business is being carried out.

The group added that this is done through stoppage in supply of its drugs and vaccines to the Nigeria market, adding that this has also endangered the lives of Nigerians who depend on their flagship medicines – Antibiotics, Asthma medication and vaccines.

A statement in Lagos Nigeria by the Project Director of the Consumer Rights Project, Gabriel Ehigiator Esq., indicates that: “The Consumer Rights Project is not unaware of the attempt by some forces within the GSK Group in the UK to create a facade that will force Nigerian shareholders to sell off their shareholdings to them for their selfish aim and profit.

“We wish to remind these persons that the activities of a pharmaceutical company does not just border on business, but life, good health of citizens and overall wellbeing. Some critically ill Nigerians are already dying of avoidable deaths, like the unwarranted death of a female of asthma in a private hospital in the South West, due to the scarcity of GSK’s Asthma drugs.

“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, NAFDAC, Consumer Protection Commission and other apposite authorities in this regard, to conduct a corporate governance audit on GSK Nigeria to ensure the protection of the interest of the Nigerian shareholders and the equitable supply of its medicines and vaccines in Nigeria.

“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, to enforce the rights of local shareholders as it relates to GSK, and protect them from the annexation of their shares, through unfair and discriminatory policies, that are geared at undermining the economic sovereignty of Nigeria.

“As can be seen from the recently released quarterly business results, GSK has stopped supply of its medicines to Nigeria which led to massive shortages of its critical medicines and vaccines. With this action, it renders the GSK Nigeria business unviable and unable to operate.

“We state that our objective is to protect Nigerian consumers and local xontent, local investments against unfair trade practices and manipulative subterfuge.

“We also believe equitable medicine access should be top priority for a company like GSK and its spin off company Haleon which claims to have the patient at the centre of their operations.

“A Company registered to do business in Nigeria, must conform to Nigerian Laws and must protect the interest of the Nigerian people, which in this case of GSK Nigeria, is above business, but the good health and wellbeing of our people “

“It is important to note that GSK has in the past tried to forcibly take over GSK Nigeria business in 2013 but this action was rejected by the local shareholders. Since then, the company has consistently reduced its investment in the country and sold it manufacturing operations recently without reinvesting the proceed from the sale in Nigeria.

Business

CAC Opens Centre For Registration Of PoS Operators

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

The Corporate Affairs Commission has inaugurated a centre for bulk registration of Point of Sale operators in its database.

The CAC Registrar-General, Hussaini Magaji, said this while inaugurating the centre stationed at its Federal Capital Territory Office in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Magaji, the importance of registering the PoS operators in the commission’s database cannot be over emphasised.

He said the centre was well equipped with all the necessary facilities to operate 24 hours a day and ensure the commission’s achievement of its purpose.

“What we did was accommodate the request from the Fintechs.

“We have allowed them to integrate with the Corporate Affairs Commission; they have developed their structure, and we gave them access.

“Once they supply the necessary details for registration on their platform, the certificate is generally generated and transmitted directly to their platform without them having to contact anyone.

“We have done this to ensure that everyone gets it easy without hitches, but if they choose to apply manually, we have a secretariat open for them to do so,” he stated.

Recall that the Federal Government through the CAC on Tuesday issued a two-month registration deadline to Point of Sales companies, to register their agents, merchants, and individuals with the commission in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, at the event, the registrar-general reiterated that the centre would be opened to all operators in the fintech industry who voluntarily submitted their agents and merchants for regularisation with the CAC.

Magaji said that the registration was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s desire to ensure financial inclusion for the youth and strengthen the fight against fraud, finance and other crimes in the country.

He further expressed his resolve to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 863 (1) of the Companies and Allied Matters, CAMA 2020, and the CBN guidelines for Agent Banking, 2013.

On security, the CAC boss said that if a crime were committed using the PoS, the government would easily trace the perpetrators to the CAC data platform if such machines were registered.

“If an incident happens and they report it to CAC, if we do not have the operator’s details, we cannot respond, and that is the essence of this registration.

“The registration ensures that every detail of the person is provided, including NIN, passport photograph and all other useful documents.

“And it is an opportunity for more people to be captured into the formal sector,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Special Adviser to the President on ICT Development and Innovation, Tokoni Peter attended the event.

The event was attended by Dr Salihu Dasuki, the Special Adviser to the President on ICT Policy Office, the PoS operators, and other stakeholders.

(NAN)

Business

FULL LIST: CBN Publishes List Of Licensed Deposit Money Banks

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released a comprehensive list of licensed Deposit Money Banks operating within the country.

The list, which was made public on the CBN’s official website on Tuesday, provides insights into the banking landscape in Nigeria.

Banks with international authorisation include Access Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Limited, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, United Bank of Africa Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.

Commercial banks with national authorisation include Citibank Nigeria Limited, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Heritage Bank Plc, Globus Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited, Polaris Bank Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, Sterling Bank Limited, Titan Trust Bank Limited, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Premium Trust Bank Limited and Optimus Bank Limited.

Commercial banks with regional licenses are Providus Bank Limited, Parallex Bank Limited, Suntrust Bank Nigeria Limited, and Signature Bank Limited.

Players in the non-interest banking sector with national authorisation include Jaiz Bank Plc, Taj Bank Limited, Lotus Bank Limited, and Alternative Bank Limited.

In the merchant banking category, the apex banks listed, are Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, FBN Merchant Bank Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited, Nova Merchant Bank Limited, and Rand Merchant Bank Limited.

The financial holding companies listed were Access Holdings Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, FSDH Holding Company Limited, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, and Sterling Financial Holdings Limited.

The Mauritius Commercial Bank Representative Office (Nigeria) Limited was listed as the sole representative office.

Business

[ICYMI]FULL LIST: 16 Banking Transactions Exempted From CBN’s New

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday directed all banks to commence charging a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions within the country.

The apex bank stated this in a circular signed by the Director, Payments System Management Department, Chibuzo Efobi; and the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustafa; a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH.

The circular, which was directed to all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, among others; noted that the implementation of the levy would start two weeks from Monday, May 6, 2024.

“The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration, ‘Cybersecurity Levy,’” the circular partly read.

In this piece, The PUNCH highlights all the 16 banking transactions that are exempted from the CBN’s new cybersecurity levy:

Loan disbursements and repayments
Salary payments
Intra-account transfers within the same bank or between different banks for the same customer
Intra-bank transfers between customers of the same bank
Other Financial Institutions instructions to their correspondent banks
Interbank placements,
Banks’ transfers to CBN and vice-versa
Inter-branch transfers within a bank
Cheque clearing and settlements
Letters of Credits

Banks’ recapitalisation-related funding – only bulk funds movement from collection accounts
Savings and deposits, including transactions involving long-term investments such as Treasury Bills, Bonds, and Commercial Papers.
Government Social Welfare Programmes transactions e.g. Pension payments
Non-profit and charitable transactions, including donations to registered non-profit organisations or charities
Educational institutions’ transactions, including tuition payments and other transactions involving schools, universities, or other educational institutions
Transactions involving bank’s internal accounts such as suspense accounts, clearing accounts, profit and loss accounts, inter-branch accounts, reserve accounts, nostro and vostro accounts, and escrow accounts.