By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised members of the public willing to obtain foreign exchange for BTA, PTA, tuition and medical fees from banks but are being turned down or frustrated to report such financial institution to it (CBN).
The apex bank said such customers can call 07002255226 or send an email to [email protected], with the name and branch of the non-cooperating bank.
This move followed reports by some customers that they were being frustrated by some banks with claims that the CBN was not allocating enough forex to them for BTA, PTA, tuition and medical fees.
But in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Mr Okorafor, the CBN said there was adequate forex for the above purpose.
Mr Okorafor described the alleged claims by the banks as “totally untrue”, saying “all banks have more than enough stock of forex in their possession for the purpose of meeting genuine customers’ demand for BTA, PTA, tuition and medical fees.”
“Indeed, on a weekly basis, the CBN has been selling at least $80 million to banks for onward sale to their customers for these invisible items,” he said.
“Members of the public seeking to buy forex for the above-mentioned purposes are, therefore, advised to go to their banks and obtain their forex.
“Any customer who is not attended to within 24 hours for BTA/PTA or 48 hours for tuition and medical fees should call 07002255226 or send an email to [email protected], with the name and branch of the non-cooperating bank,” he added.
He warned that “no customer should accept to buy forex from any bank at more than the CURRENTLY prescribed rate of N360/$1.”
Adedapo Adesanya