By Aghogho Dibirere, Reporting
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor Godwin Emefiele, says the February 10 deadline to phase out the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes remains sacrosanct.
Emefiele made reiterated this on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja.
His disclosure further gives credence to an earlier declaration made by the Branch Controller of the CBN, Bauchi, Haladu Idris Andaza, while briefing journalists on Monday at the CBN branch in Bauchi State.
The insistence of the deadline is coming following a court order restraining the CBN from implementing the deadline, among other controversies involving joint lawsuits filed by some state governors against the apex bank at the Supreme Court.
Emefiele acknowledged the inconveniences caused by the Naira redesign policy, including hoarding and elevated agitations.
He, however, urged Nigerians, particularly those in positions of authority, not to overstate it to avoid spreading fears.
The CBN boss maintained that the benefits were significant and would eventually lead to a cashless policy while acknowledging that the transition to using the new Naira notes might be difficult.
Meanwhile, checks by Stonix News on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State, revealed that some commercial banks are beginning to reject the old Naira notes from customers as deposits.
Many business operators, including commercial tricycle riders, are beginning to join the fray as the news spread like wild fire.
During checks, some commercial banks were sighted by our reporter rejecting deposit of old Naira notes from their customers.
Some of the banks sighted were FirstBank at Main Market Warri, which ATM machine were seen dispensing new Naira notes of maximum of N5,000. The back was also seen dispensing minimum of N3,000 cash of N50 notes across the counter.
At United Bank of Africa (UBA) along Warri/Sapele Road, the ATM machine were also dispensing new Naira notes, while customers were also being attended to across the counter with the withdrawal of a maximum of N5,000.
At Sterling Bank, customers were not allowed access into the banking hall while the ATM machine were not also dispensing cash old or new Naira notes. Ditto for Also in Unity bank at Main Market.
The story was the same, too, at Union Bank at Main Market, no cash at ATM points nor across the counter.
The ATM machine at Amju Microfinance Bank along Warri/Sapele Road, just beside Sterling Bank, were also dispensing cash.
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