NAN-HE-21
Protection
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has reinstated its commitment toward ensuring consumer protection in the banking system.
Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, the Managing Director, NDIC said this on Thursday at the NDIC’s Special Day at the on-going 12th Abuja International Trade Fair.
Ibrahim, represented by Mr Sani Magaji, the Director for Procurement and Management Services of NDIC, said the Corporation in order to ensure consumer protection had ensured easy access of consumers to the corporation to make their complaints.
“I am pleased to announce an additional feature to our participation in the Abuja and other trade fairs in the country.
“NDIC will be setting up a complaint desk during trade fairs where all depositors who are yet to claim their trapped deposits in any failed bank can file their claims directly.
“This is to save such depositors time and stress involved in visiting our various offices to file such claims for reimbursement.’’
Ibrahim warned the public, especially those in the informal sector of the dangers associated with keeping large sums of money at home.
According to him, the issue cannot be overemphasised bearing in mind that the Nigerian economy is still largely cash-based amidst an environment associated with widespread insecurity.
He enjoined the public to have confidence in the banking sector as the Corporation would continue to ensure the safety and security of depositors through its strong regulatory measures.
Ibrahim also warned against the dangers of subscribing to digital currencies which was gradually becoming the order of the day.
He noted that digital currencies were not authorised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) neither were they insured by the NDIC.
According to him, any person who invest or trade in them is doing so at their own risk as they are safety concerns associated with digital currencies.
He reinstated that the Corporation and the CBN was closely monitoring such digital operations to ensure the Nigerian financial system does not suffer negative effects through them.
The managing director urged members of the public to make their enquiries and lay genuine complaints on sharp practices noticed on their accounts through NDIC’s help desk toll free telephone line; 080063424357.
Earlier, the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCIMA), Mr Chijioke Ekechukwu, commended the Corporation on its effort in raising the bar of professionalism and service delivery in the country.
Ekechukwu, represented by the Second Deputy President, ABUCCIMA, Alhaji Abubakar Al-Mujtaba also urged the Corporation to deepen awareness about the deposit insurance cover available to depositors in the country.
He noted that this was critical to promoting financial inclusion and to further strengthen public confidence in the financial sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2017 International Trade Fair is “Returning Nigeria to the apathy of Self Sufficiency Through Non-Oil Export. (NAN)
LCN/EEE
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama