CBN approves $750 and $1,000 as PTA to Christian pilgrims
Olaoluwa Folalu
Nigeria Apex Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved maximum purchase of 750 and 1,000 dollars respectively as Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) at an exchange rate of N160 per dollar to Christian pilgrims.
This was disclosed by the bank in a circular to all authorised dealers and the public from its Trade and Exchange Department.
The CBN, in the circular posted on its website on Thursday also stated the Federal Government approved a maximum purchase of 1,000 dollars PTA to each pilgrim in respect of the 2015 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Rome or Greece.
It stated further that the Chairman or Secretary of each state pilgrim’s board would be allowed to sign and collect the PTA on behalf of the intending pilgrims, but added that this would only be after due identification, such as presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.
The statement reads inter alia: “Consequently, each pilgrim traveling to Israel is entitled to maximum of 750 dollars, while those going to Israel/Rome or Greece are entitled to maximum of 1,000 dollars.
“No pilgrim should be denied the travel allowance on the ground that he/she has no Tax Clearance Certificate.
“In view of the time constraint associated with the pilgrimage, the chairman or the secretary of each state pilgrims’ board after due identification, may be allowed to sign for and collect the PTA.
“This is on the behalf of the intending pilgrim in each state on presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.
“In accordance with Israeli and Italian Governments’ policies, visa shall only be issued to the pilgrims at the point of entry, that is, at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel and Fumichino Airport, Rome, Italy, on arrival.
The apex bank added that the air tickets and visa requirements for the purpose of procuring the stipulated PTA had been waived.
It however instructed that an endorsed copy of each pilgrim’s passport should be retained by bank for record purposes.