By Abel Ruth
A notable anti-corruption crusader, human rights activist humanitarian, and Publisher, His Excellency, Ambassador Aminu Abubakar Majidadi has condemned in strong terms the untold hardship and suffering brought to Nigerians as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria[CBN]’ s Naira re- design and cashless policy. In a strongly-worded press release he issued on Friday, January 27 in Abuja, Ambassador Maijidadi who is the National President of Al-Mushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability [AITA], as well as Publisher of Capital Watch Media Magazine expressed sadness that the CBN’s policy rather than bring succor to the citizens has thrown millions of Nigerian into untold hardship and confusion resulting in economic paralysis. Ambassador Majidadi, a hero of democracy and front liner in the fight against corruption, as well as a seasoned humanitarian, enthusiastic philanthropist, advocate of justice, fairness, transparency and accountability urged the CBN to intervene in the mess it has created with the “miscarriage of its Naira redesign and cashless policy by extending the deadline of January 31 given for the swap of old Naira notes of N200, N500 and N1000 for the new ones. A new and more convenient date of at least three months extension should be given”
He said if the CBN’s action was directed at “moneybag politicians and others” the programme as carried out so far has failed woefully as it is the ordinary Nigerians that are suffering as a result of the poor and misguided handling of the policy by the apex bank.”
He recounts: “As I was coming to work this Friday morning in Abuja, which is the Federal Capital, I could see queues, long ones with many people waiting at ATMs to withdraw money. I leant later that this trend continued in many banks across Abuja as many that went to the bank went home without the much anticipated new notes. This is sad and embarrassing”
Amb. Majidadi, CEO/ National President AITA and Publisher Capitalwatch media who is greatly worried about the development called for quick intervention regarding the circulation of new notes, without much ado.
Amb. Majidadi lamented that the queues at the banks were worsening and causing commotion, as some individuals and businesses are facing setbacks. He added that the newly redesigned naira note is already having adverse effects t on economic activity especially among poor Nigerians due to its timing and short transition period and if there is no quick intervention, there will be havoc.
Many banks are yet to receive reasonable amount of the new naira notes and this have giving room for counterfeit notes from fraudsters. People who do not want to lose their money become victims to these perpetrators. In fact, 9 – 5 workers that have managed to somehow have the new notes leave their houses with new notes and come back with old notes, because bus conductors, taxi/ cab drivers still transact with old notes.
He sums up: ”Therefore, I appeal to the government and the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele to please extend the deadline for the use of old notes to give individuals time to return old notes. The newly redesigned notes should also be printed and circulated to banks in reasonable amounts so that customers can exchange their money and also withdrawals can be made with new notes”, he concluded.
