By Nicholas Ojo
The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in charge of Financial Stability, Aisha Ahmad on Thursday, appeared before the House of Representatives to brief lawmakers on the apex bank’s cashless policy and cash withdrawal limits.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, had written to the House of Representatives, explaining why he will not be able to honour the invitation sent to him in person.
The letter sent to the House by the CBN governor was read by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the plenary on Wednesday.
The Speaker informed the House that, in the letter titled “Invitation For Briefing” the CBN governor had explained the reasons for his absence and had constituted a team to come and brief the House because of the urgency and importance of the matter at hand.
The lawmakers however resolved that a deputy governor of the CBN should appear to brief the House today (Thursday) in the absence of Emefiele who is outside the country to attend to health issues.
Briefing the lawmakers, Ahmad said the apex bank policy pronouncement of December 5 was a continuation of the cashless policy launched about 10 years ago.
She said it was not intended to disenfranchise Nigerians but meant to bring all segments of the society into the formal banking systems.