President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, January 28 has assured Nigerians that a number of initiatives by the Central Bank and all commercial banks are underway to speed up distribution of the new naira notes.
Buhari said the government would do all that is necessary to forestall cash squeeze and chaos.
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.
Buhari, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, assured that government will ensure that citizens are unharmed in their businesses.
He promised that no disruption would be caused to the entire supply chain arising from the currency swap due to end shortly.
The President spoke against the backdrop of long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit old notes and get new ones.
The hardship in currency swap has triggered public anger and opposition’s criticism.
However, President Buhari reiterated that the currency changes were aimed at people hoarding illicit funds and not the common man, and that it had become necessary to prevent counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding.
This, he assured, will stabilize and strengthen the economy.
The Star