BDC Operators To CBN: Adjust N1,251/$1 Buy Rate Downward

As the value of the Naira strengthens against US dollar, the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), the umbrella body of all Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-Licensed Bureaux De Change (BDCs) in Nigeria yesterday appealed to the Apex Bank to adjust and lower its applicable Exchange Rate downward below the N1,251/$ its pegged for the BDCs.

The association said the request is coming in the midst of the history making achieved by the apex bank for the first time in the last 15 years for the unofficial market rates at N1,235/$ to be lower than the official BDCs applicable buying exchange rate of N1,251/$ (plus 1.5 per cent margin) set for the BDCs by the CBN in its latest tranche of intervention.

The group insisted that naira’s speedy recovery, which was faster than expected had made CBN’s selling rate to BDCs very expensive and difficult to offload to retail end buyers that are trooping to the undocumented forex operators for cheaper rates and avoiding the BDCs services

In a letter to CBN Director, Trade & Exchange Department, ABCON, signed by its National President, Alhaji (Dr.) Aminu Gwadabe, ABCON further expressed concerns that many BDCs who funded their accounts for dollar allocations are yet to receive their allocation of dollars to meet up the legitimate critical demand of their clients due to scrutinization of the BDCs documents for collections at the various designated Centres which invariably made the BDCs vulnerable to exchange rate risk and significant loses.

The group insisted that with naira appreciating across markets, many BDCs who bought dollar at N1,251/$ will lose significant income and capital if they sale at the current open market rate of N1,235/$ and therefore the need for the call for a further review downward of the applicable exchange rate for the period and subsequently to continue to enhance naira sovereignty.

“We discovered a worrisome development where many of our members who paid for dollar allocations at N1,251/$ with a margin of 1.5% are yet to receive their disbursement. This is happening in the face of prevailing open market rate of N1,235/$ which is lower than the authorised applicable exchange rate by the CBN to the BDCs,” the statement said.