Trapped Funds: CBN Releases $265m To Foreign Airlines In Latest Strategic Move

August 26, 2022
Trapped Funds: CBN Releases $265m To Foreign Airlines In Latest Strategic Move
Trapped Funds: CBN Releases $265m To Foreign Airlines In Latest Strategic Move

In a strategic move to address the issue of trapped funds belonging to foreign airlines and check the brewing crisis in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released the sum of $265 million  to settle outstanding ticket sales.

A breakdown of the figure released on Friday indicates that the sum of $230 million was given as special Forex intervention while another sum of $35 million was released through the Retail SMIS auction.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Confirming the release, the Director, Corporate Communications Department at the CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, said the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his team was concerned about the trapped funds controversy and what it portends for the sector and travelers as well as the country in the comity of nations.

Nwanisobi reiterated that the Bank was not against any company repatriating its funds from the country, adding that what the Bank stood for was an orderly exit for those that might be interested in doing so.

Last week’s announcement by the Middle East mega carrier, Emirates Airlines, to suspend flights to Nigeria as a result of the trapped funds controversy has triggered a lot of reactions both within and outside the country and brought to the fore the critical role air transport plays in the economy of any nation.

In a piece entitled, “Foreign Airlines And Their Nigerian Trapped Dollars,” a frontline business e-paper, Prime Business Africa, also took some shot in the matter via the paper’s mouthpiece – the editorial.

With the latest CBN’s release, therefore, it is expected that operators and travellers as well will heave huge sighs of relief, as some airlines had threatened to withdraw their services in the face of unremitted funds for the outstanding sale of tickets.

 

 

 

+ posts

Featured Stories

Latest from News

NRC

Nigerian Railway Corporation Increases Abuja–Kaduna Trips

Nigerian Railway Corporation announced on Tuesday that it is expanding the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service to meet growing passenger demand along one of the country’s busiest rail corridors. The move comes nearly four years after a March 2022 bomb blast along the line
FG Struggling To Borrow, As Foreign Investors Prefer US, Germany, Others
Previous Story

CSOs To Buhari: Withdraw 4 INEC Nominees, They’re Partisan

#EdoDecides2024: INEC Extends Voting Time In Areas Where It Started Late
Next Story

Civil Society Groups Oppose Buhari’s INEC Nominees In Sokoto, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo States

Don't Miss

un ready to promote win win solution for blue nile dam project

UN ready to promote ‘win-win solution’ for Blue Nile dam project

The United Nations stands ready to support Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in efforts to resolve
FCCPC) has approved an additional 211 digital money lenders, known as loan apps, marking an increase from 161 fully approved companies in September.

FCCPC Approves 211 Digital Loan Apps Amidst Industry Overhaul

FCCPC) has approved an additional 211 digital money lenders, known