Unity Bank restores service, resumes duty collection

Providus and Unity banks merge

Unity Bank Plc has announced the restoration of services on its system and the readiness to collect duty for cargoes from licensed customs agents and freight forwarders.

This is coming days after licensed agents under the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria slammed the bank over the inability of agents to capture jobs and pay customs duty at the bank since September 2, 2024, due to downtime in the bank’s server.

The bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Matthew Obiazikwor, disclosed this in a note sent to The PUNCH on Thursday.

The PUNCH reported that the President of APFFLON, Frank Ogunojemite, lamented that agents have been unable to pay duties since Monday due to the system breakdown of the bank, thereby incurring demurrage and rent on cargoes lying at the seaports and airports.

According to him, cargoes have been captured with the Customs using the bank; hence it is difficult to switch banks.

However, giving updates on the issues, the bank’s spokesperson, Obiazikwor, said, “We have successfully concluded our system maintenance, and service has been fully restored on all platforms.

“We once again sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and remain committed to providing you with exceptional service.”

Ogunojemite had earlier lamented that demurrages had continued to accrue on the cargoes at the port due to the problem, adding that was not the fault of the freight forwarders.

He stated that the bank would have to compensate freight forwarders for the period of the system breakdown to cover the losses incurred at the port.

“We have been unable to capture and pay for our customs duty since Monday due to challenges at Unity Bank. The bank has been unable to resolve the hitches, and demurrage is accruing.

“It is difficult to switch banks because wherever bank you opened your Form M and captured your job is where you finish transactions and we don’t even know when they will solve the problems,” he said.