DMO offers N100bn “Sukuk” bonds at N1,000 per unit to fund roads construction

The Debt Management Office (DMO) offered N100 billion “Ijarah Sukuk’’ bonds for subscription at N1,000 per unit on Monday on behalf of the Federal Government. It stated in Abuja that the offer is of 10-year tenor due for maturity in December 2032. The bonds are issued by FGN Roads Sukuk Company1 PLC., through Greenwich Merchant Bank Ltd., Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd. and Vetiva Capital Management Ltd. The DMO added that proceeds would be invested solely in the construction and rehabilitation of certain strategic roads across the country. “Date of offer is Nov. 21; closing date is Nov. 29 while settlement date is Dec. 2. 2032.

“It is offered at N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription 10,000 units and in multiples of 1,000 thereafter. Rental payment is made half-yearly while bullet payment (principal sum) will be made on the date of maturity. Proceeds will be used solely for the construction and rehabilitation of key road projects across the six geopolitical zones of the country,’’ the DMO stated. It added that the Ijarah Sukuk bond is backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government. “It qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. It also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act and for tax exemption for pension funds administrators amongst other investors.

“It will be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. and the FMDQ Securities Exchange Ltd. It is classified as liquid asset by the CBN and certified by the Financial Regulations Advisory Council of Experts also of the CBN,’’ the DMO also stated. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ijarah Sukuk, bond like the FGN bonds and FGN savings bonds, constitutes part of the domestic component of government borrowings. Since it was introduced in 2017, it has provided N612,557 billion for the Federal Government, which has helped in funding 71 roads and six bridges measuring 1,881 kilometres across the country. Sukuk bond was last issued in December. 2021. (NAN)