Akinwande Soji-Ojo
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that government will ensure that citizens are unharmed in their businesses and no disruption is caused to the entire supply chain arising from the currency swap due to end on January 31.
The President gave the assurance on Saturday while reacting to reports of long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit old notes and get new ones, triggering public anger and opposition’s criticism.
Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, restated that the currency changes were aimed at people hoarding illicit funds and not the common man, adding that it had become necessary to prevent counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding.
This, he assured, will stabilise and strengthen the economy.
“While taking note that the poorest section of society is facing hardship as they often keep hard cash at home for various expenses, President Buhari gave strong assurances that the government will not leave them to their own fate.
“He reiterated that a number of initiatives by the Central Bank and all commercial banks are underway to speed up distribution of the new notes and do all that is necessary to forestall cash squeeze and chaos,” the statement read in part.
