By Deborah Christopher
Residents of Ekiti State have reacted to the extension of the new naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria describing the action as insensitive.
Recall that, yesterday, CBN extended the deadline of the new naira notes, that brought a lot of tension to Nigerians.
Some residents in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, expressed mixed reactions on the latest development by the apex bank saying it ought to have come earlier than now.
Though, some persons appreciated the extension, they said CBN policy hard compounded hardship of Nigerians.
According to Mrs Praise Tamah, “I don’t have any issues with the extension of the new naira note, I am happy they extended it. CBN should try and make the notes in handy at POS machines and available, easy to operate.
“They should make debit card’s universal with enhanced security features, make banks network system’s unhindered for easy online translation via mobile Apps. If all these are done, Nigerians won’t feel the pressure of the switch to cashless economy.”
“I knew they will extend it due to the fact that Nigeria banks don’t even have the printed new note. As at yesterday some ATM machines were still dispensing the old naira notes.
“The new naira note is not what Nigerians needs now. The tension the new note brought to the people was too much. There are places in Nigeria that don’t have banks where you have to spend time and money. Imagine people sacrificing their time yesterday, Sunday, to deposit money or get new cash so that the can spend it, and yet they could not get it.” Said Faith Ayemide.
Another respondent, Kenneth Osadiaya said: “Based on the things that are happening, it is obvious and clear that the people that were elected to represent the people does not regard the people that elected them.
“Because there is no need for you to sound an alarm where the nation was running helter skelter in order to be able to be cut up with the web of the urgency and at the end of the day, whilst many were saddled with hectic schedule, they managed to even squizzed themselves into a Sunday, that was supposed to be a day where people can ease off for the week coming.
“After they have done all the hustle and bustle, you are coming to say it’s extended to February 10. I don’t think that there is any form or iota of affection or compassion on the side of the government to the people that they were sent and elected to represent.
“For instance P.O.S., I heard was dispensing N1000 for N100 that was supposedly N20. So, people take advantage base on their suffering, because they are short-sighted. What this people do is to subject people to poverty.” He concluded.