The Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Uyo branch, Akwa Ibom State, Itohan Mercy Ogbomon-Paul, has appealed to the traditional rulers to help in enlightening their subjects on the new notes and the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria in their respective communities.
Ogbomon-Paul made the appeal on Friday when she led other CBN officials from Abuja and Uyo branch on an advocacy visit to the OkuIbom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, Edidem Solomon Etuk, in his palace.
The Branch Controller who spoke after presenting samples of the three redesigned notes to the OkuIbom as well as flyers and pamphlets printed to aid in the ongoing nationwide sensitization campaign, explained that the old banknotes of N1000, N500 and N200 which were still being used side by side with the new notes would be phased out completely on January 31, 2023.
She said, “We are here for the Central Bank of Nigeria sensitisation on the redesigned notes. As we speak, some of our officials are already going round the local government areas.
“We actually started the sensitisation drive since Wednesday in Uyo, but as we are here today, we said we will first come to pay homage to you and then continue with other local government areas that we have not been to.”
She also urged the traditional rulers “to help in enlightening their subjects”
Responding, the OkuIbom of Ibibio assured the CBN team that he would use town criers to pass the message on the New Naira notes to his subjects, and appealed for extension of the January 31 deadline.
The monarch stressed that there was also the need for the apex bank to do more sensitisation in rural communities on the cashless policy, for the benefit of the underprivileged persons.
“I am appealing on behalf of my people of Akwa Ibom State that CBN should extend the deadline. The time given is too short. Whatever policy we introduce in the system, we must ensure that the underprivileged do not suffer.
“With the level of poverty in our midst, whatever policy we want to introduce must take a gradual process. As traditional rulers that is our concern. You should extend the deadline and keep on sensitising the people on this cashless policy.
“I will send the town criers immediately across the communities to disseminate the message on the deadline to the people. And on the day that we’ll be having traditional council meeting in Uyo, I will invite you to come and sensitise them on the cashless policy,” the royal father said.
Our correspondent gathered that residents across the local government areas especially traders has lamented the scarcity of the redesigned notes as the commercial banks were still dispensing only the old notes at their Automated Teller Machines.