The continuous frustration being experienced by Nigerians in accessing the new Naira notes has taken a new dimension as some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have threatened to embark on a massive protest across the streets of the nation’s capital city, Abuja.
The Quest Times visited several commercial banks to observe the challenges being encountered by customers while trying to either deposit or withdraw money and complains about banks’ mobile apps in attempt to meet the stipulated deadline for the withdrawal of the old 1000, 500 and 200 naira notes.
Recall that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele had amidst frustration, provocations, name-calling and anger all over the land made pronouncements to douse the tension created by the redesigned notes by extension of the deadline to February 10th.
The new notes became legal tender when they were unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 23, 2022, in Abuja with distribution since December 15th 2022. But the policy was allegedly compromised by the managers of commercial banks who connived with politicians to exchange the new currencies in bulks with huge interest, thereby denying the local markets, traders, food vendors and other small and medium businesses who have virtually shut down in the wake of the confusion which consequently threw a lot of families, especially the masses into untold hardship.
During a visit to Lotus bank in Garki area of Abuja, customers were seen struggling to enter into the already congested banking hall and the ATM machines were also crowded. Some of the customers threatened to embark on protests if the situation does not improve with easy access to the redesigned Naira notes by this week.
Other banks visited include Access Bank, UBA Bank, Wema Bank, GT Bank, First Bank among others.
The video below gives detailed report of our tour;