New Naira Notes: Ndigbo Laments Scarcity
3 min read
Edith CHUKU
The youth wing of the socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, to provide modalities for the distribution of the new notes to Nigerians.
The Zonal Coordinator, South-South Youth Wing of the Igbo group, Mr. Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa has expressed dismay over the unavailability of the redesigned naira notes, which he said has added to the sufferings of the people of the country.
In a chat with TNN, Arthur-Ugwa wondered how those in the rural areas would survive this period, following the level of hunger, abject poverty; he said most persons have been subjected to, especially in this period when cash is scarce.
According to him, “Nigerians are suffering this period, since I was born till now; it has never been this bad. Both those who have and those who don’t have are suffering. The redesigned naira notes are not even available in most commercial banks, almost all, people are suffering seriously.
“I feel more for rural dwellers, how are they coping? What do they go to the market with? How do they feed? Now, you use your own money to buy your money out of your own bank account, Jesus Christ! Money you put into your own account, you pay tithe to get it out, it shouldn’t be this bad, no, it shouldn’t.
“Yes, CBN tried to have extended the deadline, no doubt, but the scarcity of both old and new notes isn’t fair at all to Nigerians, not at all. It is not enough to give banks regulations, are you monitoring them to ensure compliance, are you?”
Arthur-Ugwa also urged CBN to, “visit banks, go and see for yourself. Nigerians deposited all they had because of an order from CBN, so why is it looking like they were wrong to have obeyed that order, why? Hunger is everywhere, people can’t buy, they don’t have to feed, but there is money in their account. Nigerians do not deserve this, we have suffered enough already, we don’t.
“What surprises me most is how these redesigned notes will be scarce in markets and business places, but abundant at weddings and social functions. This is unsatisfactory; there is need for urgent attention to be given to this. CBN should provide more modalities for the distribution of the new notes to ease the stress on Nigerians; we are going through a lot already; fuel scarcity, insecurity, and difficulty in collection of PVCs, among others.
“Some filling stations demand extra charge from customers for use of their POS machines, while commercial POS operators charge an extra fee for withdrawal of the new notes. The situation is almost unbearable, but I call on Nigerians to keep faith with the system and change the narrative in the forthcoming general elections with the use of their PVCs.
“I urge Nigerians to be strong, this too shall pass. Get your PVCs and vote but don’t fight.” To the youths he said, “Youths must not be used to manipulate the elections. We must not kill anyone or allow ourselves to be used for anything untoward. Please be wise. May God bless us as we do the needful on February 25.”
