Imo Justifies Issuance Of N18.5b Bond

Fresh facts have emerged about what Imo State Government stands to benefit in its medium term note programme.

The benefits, as contained in a statement from the govenement, include access to the capital markets over a period of two years, raising funds to finance development projects to achieve the 14-point development agenda tagged the “New Face of Imo State,” aimed at tackling challenges such as infrastructure decay, unemployment and poor economic performance.

Other projects, according to the government include: “Imo Wonder Lake Resort and Conference Centre, Oguta a tourism and entertainment investment facility with a total-cost of N60.27 billion; Phase 1 of the sustainable rehabilitation of 37 semi-urban; and construction and rehabilitation of 16 state roads at the cost of N10.24 billion.”

Key features of the Bond include maturity in 2016, a 7-year tenure, exemption from taxation in Nigeria, fixed coupon rate of 15.5 per cent annum, which is attractive when compared to the yield of 10.02 per annum on 7-year FGN bond, amortising repayment of principal and interest to the maturity date while coupon ins payable semi-annually in arrears (ie. 30 June an 31 December).

The bond benefits to investors include: A fixed income which is payable semi-annually, tax exemption, security by an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order on the state’s statutory allocation the Bond thus has similar qualities to the Federal Government Bonds, since the repayment source is from a central source.