BY BAMIDELE FAMOOFO
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation has said it helped about 248 customers of banks recover N8.3 billion of their trapped funds as at end of November 2022.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, Bello Hassan, made this known at the 43rd Kano International Trade Fair concluded recently.
“I am happy to inform you that between January and November 2022, the Corporation has successfully resolved 248 complaints and helped depositors recover over N8.3billion from their respective banks. The complaints bothered on unauthorized withdrawals, which accounted for the highest number of 190 cases; POS issues which accounted for 33; charges/fees/fraud issues and others which accounted for 25,” Hassan disclosed.
His words: “While all our complaint platforms are active and effective, we have observed that over 95, representing 38.3% of total complaints, came through our zonal offices, 24% through our Toll-Free Help Desk and 37.7% through our other platforms. However, we like to encourage all depositors and other bank customers to continue to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by ALL our complaint channels towards resolving issues with their insured institutions. We also like to call on depositors of banks in-liquidation to continue to utilize the same platforms to file their claims to the Corporation for reimbursement.”
Commenting on the theme of the fair, which was ‘Unlocking AFCFTA for Nigeria Economic Growth and Development’, Hassan noted that it resonated with the mandate, vision and mission of the NDIC, which centres on protecting depositors and contributing to the stability of the financial system.
“It is no gainsaying the fact that a safe, sound and stable financial system is a pivot on which the wheel of economic growth and development revolves. The NDIC, in collaboration with other safety-net players, will therefore continue to be resolutely committed to keeping the financial system safe and sound, not only to bolster confidence, but to strongly serve its role of intermediation in support of the AFCFTA implementation in particular, and the economy in general,” he added.
He noted that the Corporation has always demonstrated strong and unwavering commitment to its depositor protection mandate through deposit guarantee, banking supervision in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, failure resolution and banking liquidation.
“Accordingly, in line with our public policy objectives of protecting small and less sophisticated depositors, the Corporation has continued to strengthen its consumer protection mechanism towards effective resolution of complaints made to it over transactions with insured institutions.”
