CBN gov urged to withdraw old, tattered naira notes from circulation

Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has been called upon to withdraw old and tattered naira notes from circulation, saying the continued recirculation of such notes which had passed through several hands may lead to further spread of the dreaded coronavirus in the country.

A pan-Nigerian group,  Association of Progressive Nigerians (APN), made this call in a media release issued on Saturday against the background of the ongoing battle the country is waging to curb the spread the deadly virus among the populace.

The group, in the release signed by its president, Alhaji Mohammed Bello and secretary, Mr Oluwole Aina respectively, warned that the continuous recycling of such notes might endanger the public health and lead to the further spread of the dreaded coronavirus in the country.

APN said it had observed with sadness that what most banks were doing was to push out these dirty naira notes in endless recycling instead of withdrawing and replacing with freshly minted notes, saying it was more worrisome that such tattered notes were also made available to Nigerians who do their transactions through the Automated Teller Machines across the country.

“We observe with sadness that what most banks are doing is to push out these dirty naira notes in an endless recycling of what should have been withdrawn and replaced with freshly minted notes.

“It is more worrisome that when you withdraw from Automated Teller Machines across the country what you have on your hands are dirty, mutilated and tattered naira notes which ought to be rejected outright by all Nigerians lest they expose themselves to a health hazard,” the group said.

According to APN, such dirty currencies are difficult to come by as they were quickly sent to the mint for replacement once received by banks, appealing to the CBN governor to ensure that the best international practices were observed in the handling of old naira notes in the country.

The group said Nigeria’s currency, the naira note, should be seen as a national symbol, cautioning that “we should not diminish our country in the committee of nations.”

“In advanced countries, such dirty notes once received by banks are immediately sent to the mint for replacement.

“We appeal to the CBN Governor to endure that the best international practices are observed in the handling of old naira notes. Our Naira note should be seen as a national symbol and we should not diminish our country in the committee of nations,” the group said.

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