Yemi Cardoso CBN Governor
Feb. 16, 2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced an upward review of the Price Verification System (PVS) from 2.5 per cent to 15 per cent.
According to a circular by Dr. Hassan Mahmud, Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN, this is in a bid to check global inflation and other challenges.
The PVS was initially introduced in 2022 to curb over-invoicing of imports.
It was mandated to ensure that prices of imported items that were above 2.5 per cent above the global average prices were queried.
The PVS is meant to streamline and regulate financial transactions and documentation in the banking sector and to reduce over-pricing and ensure price accuracy of imported goods.
According to Mahmud, due to global inflation and other related challenges, the CBN has reviewed the allowable limit of price deviation for exports and imports to -15 per cent and +15 per cent of global average prices respectively.
“Authourised dealer banks and the general public are hereby advised to note and comply accordingly,” he said.
He, however, said that the PVS was not meant to determine the actual prices of items for tariffs or duty charged by the government.
“It will, rather, enable the CBN curtail the excess outflow of limited foreign exchange through over-invoicing and other price manipulation activities,” he said.
In a related development, the apex bank also directed all authourised dealer banks to, henceforth, effect payment of Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) through electronic channels only.
“For the avoidance of doubt, payment of PTA/BTA by cash is no longer permitted.
“Authourised dealer banks shall henceforth effect payout of PTA/BTA through electronic channels only, including debit or credit cards.
“Authourised dealers and the general public are hereby to note and comply accordingly,” he said.(NAN)
