By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
The Concerned Edo Citizens Forum (CECF) has urged the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefile not to shift the apex bank’s deadline for the redesign of the new Naira notes calling on him to ignore all calls for extension of implementation of the policy.
The group insisted that calls for extension of the deadline was one of the several ways corruption fights back in the country and berated some members of the National Assembly calling for shift in the deadline adding that it’s shameful for a paliamentarian to have represented his people for several years and yet not able to attract a branch of a bank to his Local Government Area headquarters.
In a statement signed by the Convener of CECF, Comrade Roy Oribhabor and made available to newsmen, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stand by the Central Bank Governor and ensure the bank’s deadline becomes sacrosanct.
“It has become necessary to call on the Governor of CBN Mr. Godwin Emefiele to disregard calls by Nigeria National Assembly both Senate and House of Representatives for the extension of the policy of Naira Redesign.
“CBN announced this program/ policy over three months ago, therefore calling on CBN now to extend the policy is unpatriotic and lack of economic direction because one will naturally expect the National Assembly to mobilize their people they represent, we challenge the national Assembly to show how they have mobilize their constituents to embrace this policy from CBN.
“We call on the Governor of CBN to remain resolute about the policy because over the years Nigerians always demonstrate nonchalant attitude towards programs and policies that make us less in the community of nations. This is one of the best policies from CBN in recent years therefore, it must be embraced and endorsed by all Nigerians considering the level of poverty and corruption that have bedeviled us as a people. Nigeria must move with the world not foot dragging and reticent in embracing good policy.
We call on Nigerians to embrace the cash swap program across the Local Government Areas as being initiated by CBN”.
While urging members of the National Assembly to sensitise their constituents on the CBN’s policy on redesigned Naira notes, the statement assured of CECF’s avowed commitment of enlightening the public on the policy.
“Research conducted by Concerned Edo Citizens Forum clearly shows that the people are embracing the policy with open heart marry with the reasons advanced by CBN. Nigerians will benefit more therefore, the National Assembly must also embrace the policy. It’s shameful to hear a member of National Assembly standing on the floor of the National Assembly to declare that, a whole local government area have no bank. Who’s to blame ? After years of representations, a member has not been able to draw or initiate economic policy to put a bank in his Local Government Area calls for deep sober reflection, disappointing and disheartening. What are they doing to represent their people?
“We call on President Buhari to show leadership by supporting CBN the Governor despite the open intimidating disposition from National Assembly. We view the call for extension as corruption fighting back. We will continue to sensitize the people especially the locals to swap their old naira notes accordingly. The new naira notes are already for sales in wedding and funeral service and open market to frustrate the CBN policy. CBN must show serious concerns to allow this policy to work now that the elections are approaching, vote buying must be reduced through this policy hence, our endorsement”.