By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
As the Naira scarcity bites harder, Officials of the Kogi State Government and stakeholders in the financial service sector have stormed the streets of Lokoja to sensitize the people on the need to accept the old naira notes in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Addressing crowds of Commercial Motorcyclist popularly called (Okada riders) and market women under the Ganaja Flyover in Lokoja Metropolis, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, congratulated Nigerians over the Supreme Court judgement, adding that the people can now use both the old and new naira notes together till December 31, 2023.
“We have met with the banks and they have agreed that they will accept old naira notes as deposits. So we urge all Okada riders, Keke riders, and market men and women to accept the old naira notes.
“The State Government is grateful to the banks for their cooperation and compliance to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. It is criminal to reject old naira notes after the judgement”, he said.
He further said the State Government will monitor compliance strictly.
In the same vein, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) harped on the need for Kogians to cooperate with the State Government in its bid to ease the current financial strains occasioned by the current cash policy. He said his office works with security agencies to ensure compliance.
Kogi State Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Idris Asiru said the commercial banks in the state accept the old Naira notes deposits from the depositors, urging the people of the state to take advantage of the cooperation of the banks. Mr. Asiru said the Banks have made a commitment to providing cash to the depositors through the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) as the Banks now load their ATMs with old and new naira notes to ease the cash scarcity in the state.
The representatives of the major banks in Lokoja also assured the people of the readiness of the banks to accept old naira notes as deposits. They said the directive took effect on Monday morning, urging customers to freely accept old naira notes.
The sensitization team visited all transport unions, fuel stations, and major markets in Lokoja, the Capital of Kogi state. They have also assured the people of sustained sensitization on radio and other media outlets.
