Connect with us

Economy

Border Closure: Prices Soar Amid Shortages

Published

on

bags of rice
  • Border Closure: Prices Soar Amid Shortages

Prices of goods have gone up in the Nigerian market as lack of supply due to border closure bolstered prices.

Traders in the local market said the shortage of imported food items are fueling the surge in prices of goods across key local markets as sellers are said to be hoarding available goods to sell at a projected higher price around December when prices of Chicken, Rice, etc are expected to skyrocket.

A trader at Ile Epo Market in Lagos, Isa Mohammed, said prices of imported parboiled rice have increased by 100 percent. He said a 50kg bag of rice that was sold between N13,000 and N14,500 in July is now being sold between N24,000 and N30,000.

“Prices of other measures of the same variant have also increased.”

Another rice seller at Isheri Market said rice dealers now sell at a much higher price, forcing them retailers to increase the price they sell to final consumers.

He said, “The 50kg bag of imported rice that we used to sell for about N21, 000 now costs N30, 000. The 50kg bag of local rice that was sold at N16, 000 now costs between N22, 500 and N23, 500.”

“We learnt that the government has closed the borders so the goods cannot come in again.”

Surprisingly, he said the price of local rice has also gone up, suggesting that imported rice has been sustaining the local market, hence why its scarcity impacted price.

Similarly, a woman who sells frozen chicken said the price of Chicken has gone up because of the border closure.

According to her, before the border was closed in August a kilogram of frozen chicken and turkey were N1,300 and N1,400, respectively. That same kg now costs N1,500 and N1,700.

The surge in prices pointed to the fact that Nigeria is still not self-sufficient in rice production as claimed by some lawmakers a few months ago.

It should be recalled that Dangote also closed his Tomato Processing Factory due to insufficient raw materials.

Consumer Price Index, which measures the inflation rate, could surge above the current level of 11.02 percent in the final quarter if the Federal Government refused to open the border.

This would hurt Nigeria’s monetary policy as the Central Bank of Nigeria would have to adjust its monetary policy to regular price increase and at the same time ensure Naira stability.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Economy

Nigeria’s Plan to Review Oil Companies’ Gas Flaring Strategies

Published

on

Oil

Nigeria is ramping up its efforts to address environmental concerns in the oil and gas sector with a comprehensive plan to review gas flaring strategies of international and indigenous oil companies.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced this initiative during a national stakeholders engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction held in Abuja, Investors King reports.

Gas flaring, a common practice in the oil industry, releases methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and posing health risks to communities near oil facilities.

Nigeria aims to end routine gas flaring by 2030, aligning with global climate goals and commitments.

Dr. Salako explained the importance of reducing methane emissions and highlighted the detrimental effects on public health, food security, and economic development.

He outlined practical steps being taken to tackle methane emissions, including the development of methane guidelines and the engagement of government institutions.

The ministry, through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, will conduct periodic reviews of oil companies’ plans to ensure compliance with the gas flaring deadline.

Deloitte management consultants will assist in conducting comprehensive forensic audits to scrutinize the legitimacy of forward-contracted transactions.

President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability underscores the government’s dedication to addressing climate change and fulfilling its multilateral environmental agreements.

The engagement event served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss methane mitigation strategies, existing policies, and implementation challenges.

Collaboration and dialogue among diverse sectors are crucial in charting a unified course towards sustainable methane reduction in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

As the country navigates its environmental agenda, ensuring accountability and transparency in gas flaring practices remains paramount for achieving a greener and healthier future.

Continue Reading

Economy

Interest Rate Jumps to 24.75% as CBN Takes Aggressive Stance Against Inflation

Published

on

Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in the monetary policy rate, known as the interest rate, to 24.75%.

This move disclosed by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso during the 294th Meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing in Abuja, represents a bold step by the apex bank to address the mounting inflationary pressures faced by the country.

With inflation soaring to 31.70% in February, the CBN aims to moderate this upward trend by tightening its monetary policy stance.

This decision follows the previous hike in the interest rate to 22.75% in February, showcasing the CBN’s commitment to combatting inflationary forces.

While the bank opted to maintain the Cash Reserve Ratio at 45%, the significant increase in the interest rate underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for decisive action.

Governor Cardoso emphasized that these measures are essential to stabilize the economy and safeguard the purchasing power of the Nigerian currency.

The 294th MPC marks the second meeting under Governor Cardoso’s leadership, indicating a proactive approach to addressing economic challenges.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled for May 20th and 21st, 2024, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the CBN to navigate Nigeria’s economic landscape amidst inflationary pressures.

Continue Reading

Economy

Nigeria Braces for 10th Consecutive Interest Rate Hike by Central Bank

Published

on

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

As Nigeria grapples with persistently high inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is gearing up to implement its tenth consecutive interest rate hike in a bid to curb the soaring prices and attract investment.

Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg are anticipating a substantial 125 basis-point increase in the key rate to 24%, marking one of the most significant adjustments in the current tightening cycle.

The decision, expected to be announced by Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Abuja, comes on the heels of inflation accelerating to 31.7% in February, far surpassing the central bank’s target range of 9%.

This surge has been primarily attributed to the sharp depreciation of the naira, prompting authorities to devalue the currency twice since June to narrow the gap with the unofficial market rate and encourage investor confidence.

While these measures have seen the naira strengthen in recent days and bolstered investment inflows, including a fourfold increase in overseas remittances and significant foreign investor portfolio asset purchases, there remains a palpable need for more decisive action.

Giulia Pellegrini, a senior portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors, emphasized the necessity for the CBN to intensify its tightening efforts to regain foreign investors’ confidence in the local bond market.

While acknowledging the positive strides made by the central bank, Pellegrini stressed the importance of a more assertive approach to prevent the diversion of investor attention to other frontier markets.

As the Nigerian economy navigates through these challenging times, the impending interest rate hike signals the CBN’s determination to address inflation head-on and foster a more stable economic environment.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending