Business

Edo: Chinese Company Promises Improved Workers Welfare, Others

Published

3 years ago

September 27, 2021

Editor

The impasse between the management of a Chinese company, Yong Xing Steel Company, Benin, and some members of staff seems to be at the edge of settlement as the company’s top management staff have resolved to look into demands of the aggrieved members of staff.

Some members of staff mostly junior and contact staff had accused the company of maltreatment, physical assult and illegal deduction of their salaries with little infraction.

The aggrieved members of staff also accused the company management of stoping them from coming together to have a labour union, just as they added that anyone fronting such agitation is being maltreated and victimized.

But speaking with newsmen in an interactive session during the weekend, Managing Director, Young Xing Steel Company, Frank Wang, said the company has been doing it possible best in terms of workers welfare and every entitlement due them, but promised to look into other demands of the workers.

The Managing Director who was represented by the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the company, Isaac Olufemi, said though few members of staff of the company are demanding to join labour union and dissatisfied with some of the company’s policies, majority of members of staff are satisfied.

“We are going to address their demands, but the point is that, everyone cannot be satisfied. It is natural. For instance, if one earns say N1m or even N5m, one will still not be satisfied hence demand for more. But I assure you, every demand is going to be looked into,” he promised.

Speaking on the company stopping staff from joining labour union, the MD said “no one has come to me to inform me that he wants to join union, I am just hearing this now. If anyone comes to me to say he or she wants to join union, then it’s left for me to look into such demand, but non has done that. However, if the number of staff agitating to join union are just few, then it may not be matter of necessity.

On workers welfare, Mr. Wang said the company provides Personal Protection Equipment to members of staff of the company on monthly basis to make sure they work under safe environment, free accommodation because of the area the company is located and that a partnership with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, for an efficient healthcare for staff.

“We placed premium on the welfare of our workers, just as we have in our own little ways contributed to the development of our host community through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Rep of the MD and Assistant Public Relations Officer, Isaac Olufemi during his presentation at the interactive session.

“As for the staff, we have ensure regular training within and outside the country, provision of shelter, health insurance programme and provision of safety environment to work.

“The management have long time cooperation with UBTH to provide medical treatment for the staff,” (Sic) he added.

Clearing the air on misconception about the company on its Cooperate Social Responsibility, the MD said the company has done so much in terms of providing some social amenities, stressing that during heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company provided palliatives to different government institutions, agencies, etc.

“During the serious pandemic period, Nigerian Yong Xing Steel Company donated two trucks of anti-virus materials to the Tender Heart Orphanage. The company also donated similar materials to the Edo State Government, government ministries and parastatals/agencies. Nigerian Yong Xing Steel Company also donated palliatives to the Edo State Police Command, also donation of such Items was made to local banks in the state.

He continues, “Nigerian Yong Xing Steel Company has donated market with 50 shops to the host communities.”

“For the community, we have built markets stalls, provision of water and giving out palliative from time to time,” he stated.

Also,the Enogie (duke) of Ogua, Chief Ogie Aghaghowen, commended the steel company for creating an economic environment and also for ensuring peace in Ogua community.

Business

CBN Sells Fresh Dollars To BDCs At N1,021/$

Published

6 days ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) started fresh and direct sales of US dollars at N1,021 per dollar to Bureau De Change operators.

Nigeria’s apex bank disclosed this in a circular signed by its Director of Trade and Exchange Department Hassan Mahmud.

“We write to inform you of the sale of $10,000 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to BDCs at the rate of N1,021/$1. The BDCs are in turn to sell to eligible end users at a spread of NOT MORE THAN 1.5 percent above the purchase price,” the circular posted on its website read.

“ALL eligible BDCs are therefore directed to commence payment of the Naira deposit to the underlisted CBN Naira Deposit Account Numbers from today, Monday, April 22, 2024, and submit confirmation of payment, with other necessary documentations, for disbursement of FX at the respective CBN Branches.”

CBN’s move is coming as the naira is recording a slight depreciation against the dollar after weeks of gains.

In late March, the bank also sold $10,000 to each of the eligible Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the country at the rate of N1,251/$1.

Like in the most recent sales, it warned BDCs against breaching terms of the dollar sales, vowing to sanction defaulters “including outright suspension from further participation in the sale”.

The fortunes of the naira have fallen sharply since President Bola Tinubu took over in May. Inflation figures have reached new highs and the cost of living hitting the rooftops.

Nigeria’s currency slid to about N1,900/$ some months ago at the parallel market. But in recent weeks, it has gained against the dollar.

The Nigerian authorities have also doubled down on their crackdown against cryptocurrency platform Binance and illegal BDCs.

On March 1, the CBN revoked the licences of 4,173 BDCs over compliance failures.

Business

JUST IN: FirstBank Gets New MD/CEO

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Editor

Olusegun Alebiosu has been appointed as the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank Group), effective April 2024.

Alebiosu steps into this pivotal role from his previous position as the Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer, and Executive Compliance Officer, a position he held since January 2022.

Alebiosu brings to the helm of FirstBank over 28 years of extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry. His expertise spans various domains including credit risk management, financial planning and control, corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, and project financing.

Having embarked on his professional journey in 1991 with Oceanic Bank Plc. (now EcoBank Plc.), Alebiosu has held several notable positions in esteemed financial institutions.

Prior to joining FirstBank in 2016, he served as Chief Risk Officer at Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, Chief Credit Risk Officer at the African Development Bank Group, and Group Head of Credit Policy & Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer at United Bank for Africa Plc.

Alebiosu’s academic credentials further enrich his professional profile. He is an alumnus of the Harvard School of Government and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. Additionally, he obtained a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

A distinguished member of various professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), Nigeria Institute of Management (ANIM), and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Alebiosu is renowned for his commitment to excellence and ethical practices in the banking sector.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Alebiosu is known for his passion for golf and adventure. He is happily married and a proud parent.

With Alebiosu’s appointment, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited anticipates continued growth and innovation under his leadership, reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution in Nigeria and beyond.

Business

CBN Gives New Directive On Lending In Real Estate

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has released a new regulatory directive to enhance lending to the real sector of the Nigerian economy.

The directive, issued on April 17, 2024, with reference number BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/005 and signed by the Acting Director of Banking Supervision, Adetona Adedeji, signifies a notable shift in the bank’s policy towards a more contractionary approach.

In line with the new measures, the CBN has reduced the loan-to-deposit ratio by 15 percentage points, down to 50 per cent.

This move aligns with the CBN’s current monetary tightening policies and reflects the increase in the Cash Reserve ratio rate for banks.

The LDR is a metric used to evaluate a bank’s liquidity by comparing its total loans to its total deposits over the same period, expressed as a percentage.

An excessively high ratio may indicate insufficient liquidity to meet unexpected fund requirements.

All Deposit Money Banks are now mandated to adhere to this revised LDR.

The CBN has stated that average daily figures will be utilised to gauge compliance with this directive.

Furthermore, while DMBs are encouraged to maintain robust risk management practices in their lending activities, the CBN has committed to continuous monitoring of adherence and will adjust the LDR as necessary based on market developments.

Adedeji has called on all banks to acknowledge these modifications and adjust their operations accordingly. He emphasised that this regulatory adjustment is anticipated to significantly influence the banking sector and the wider Nigerian economy.

The circular read in part, “Following a shift in the Bank’s policy stance towards a more contractionary approach, it is crucial to revise the loan-to-deposit ratio policy to conform with the CBN’s ongoing monetary tightening.

“Consequently, the CBN has decided to decrease the LDR by 15 percentage points to 50 per cent, proportionate to the rise in the CRR rate for banks.

“All DMBs must maintain this level, and it is advised that average daily figures will still be applied for compliance assessment.

“While DMBs are urged to sustain strong risk management practices concerning their lending operations, the CBN will persist in monitoring compliance, reviewing market developments, and making necessary adjustments to the LDR. Please be guided accordingly.”