Dollar exchanged for N445 in the parallel market on Monday due to scarcity and shrinking liquidity in the forex market.

The extension of the ban placed on flights in the country by the Federal Government, as part of efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus, further affected access to forex by bureau de change operators.

President, Association of Bureax De Change Operators of Nigeria, Mr Aminu Gwadabe, said, “The extension of airport lockdown as well as sale of forex to BDCs pending when air travels resume has impacted the naira negatively from N425/$ to $445/$ in the parallel market.

“However, the assurances of CBN governor to foreign investors on ease of exit have helped to flatten the curve at N445/$ without any sign of further depreciation at the close of business today.

“The persistent dollar scarcity with shrinking liquidity in the market is one of the major unintended consequences of the shutdown of the BDCs window.”

Deposit Money Banks had however commenced forex sales to customers wishing to pay school fees and the SMEs making essential imports needed to revamp economic activities across the country.

This followed the commencement of forex sales by Central Bank of Nigeria to all commercial banks for sale to parents and the SMEs as part of efforts to gradually ease effects of Covid-19 lockdown.

CBN stated that it had resumed provision of over $100m per week for school fees and the SMEs.

Unity Bank Plc said in a statement that it had received the supply of foreign exchange from CBN to adequately meet eligible demands from customers.

ABCON stated that it was important for CBN to resume sale of forex to BDCs in order to defend the value of the naira and infant industries.

Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr Isaac Okorafor, had stated: “CBN has also made complete arrangements to resume foreign exchange sales to the BDC segment of the market for business travels, personal travels and other designated retail uses, as soon as international flights resume.”

Punch