Be patient, join bank queues, Emefiele tells Nigerians

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has appealed to Nigerians to show understanding adding that the redesigned notes will be circulated and made accessible.

Mr. Emefiele made the appeal in a special media briefing on new naira notesFriday, in Lagos.

He noted that he has seen protests and arguments about the difficulties citizens face in accessing the new records.

“I understand the unrest and I ask in the name of God, we kneel down to ask people to show understanding. They should calm down.

“In the meetings with the banks, we have told them to set up tents and chairs, give people numbers, which I’m sure some people will say is outdated.

“But at this time we are trying to get currency in circulation among everyone, people must have a number and they come in the order of the queue that when you enter you will be served, when it is done, just be patient.

“Tomorrow, when he returns, he will start from where he left off, you will not be deceived.

”Let’s keep calm and use a good queuing system, guarantee that it will be done eventually.

Also read: Osinbajo flouts new naira note policy

“Eventually the restrictions will be lifted and eventually the restrictions will be removed and people will be able to transact business the way they did before,” Mr. Emefiele said.

With high charges by Point of Sale (PoS) agents on every transaction done by customers, the apex bank governor has asked banks to stop charges at PoS.

“I’m going to call a meeting with the banks this evening or tomorrow, if the fees continue or the fees are charged through the bank, we will make a deal with the telecommunications to see how the fees can be done. at this time it is stopped.

“The charges at this point should stop. So if we find out anything you did that you didn’t do because it stopped, we can collect it somewhere and find a way to pay you.

“But we don’t want you to continue to cause pain to people who want to use alternative channels when they don’t have money in their pockets.

“We will discuss this later tonight or even tomorrow, we will call a meeting of banks and mobile networks; at this time nothing should be charged, if you are charged, we need to know about it.

“But we want this service to continue to be offered. Whatever the volume and number we have done. We will go far to pay your money,” he said.

NAN reports that the redesigned naira notes of N200, N500 and N1,000 will come into use on December 15, 2022, after it was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 23, 2022 in Abuja.

The CBN had previously set January 31 as the deadline for the collection of old naira notes, but later extended the deadline to February 10.

The CBN governor said the extension would allow Nigerians who have legally acquired naira and are trapped, the opportunity to deposit their money for exchange.

The governor has ordered banks to open Automated Teller Machines with the new naira notes to ensure Nigerians have access to them.

(IN)