The Centre for Human Rights & Accountability Network (CHRAN), Akwa Ibom branch, has called on banks in the state to make the new Naira notes available to citizens and residents of the state without further delay.
The renowned internationally recognized human rights group made the call on Thursday, February 2, after its congress in Uyo through a press release signed by its State Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Deputy Secretary, Comrade Akanimo Atang.
The CHRAN commended the monetary policy of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefele, as it concerns the redesigned of few denominations of the country’s currency.
It described the hardship which commercial banks operating in the state have subjected the people of the state to, by halting the circulation of the new Naira notes, as economic sabotage and crime against humanity.
The group accused banks in Akwa Ibom State of working against the good policy of the CBN by not making the new Naira notes available to their customers at the banking halls and at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
According to the civil society group, this has have caused uncomfortable queues at the banks and at the various automated teller machines in the state.
The rights group warned that if the banks continue to impose undeserved and unnecessary hardship on the people by not releasing the new Naira notes, it would mobilise citizens of the state in a protest to occupy the premises of all banks in the state.
The CHRAN called on the CBN and security agencies in the state to ensure the arrest and prosecution of banks’ officials sabotaging the country’s monetary policy.
