Gombe Banks have adequate redesigned notes – CBN
…..to penalise banks for non compliance
By Chima Azubuike, Gombe
The Branch Controller of Central Bank of Nigeria Gombe State Shehu Alhaji Goringo, says the state has enough redesigned notes to serve about 3.5 million estimated population residing in the state.
Goringo, made this disclosure during market storm organised in collaboration with UBA where old notes were exchanged for traders in Kwadom market, Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Our Correspondent reports that about N10,000 worth of old notes were exchanged for traders at the popular staple food market.
According to him, the state has adequate supply of the redesigned notes to serve, adding that the commercial banks would be sanctioned if they failed to release the new notes to the public.
He said, “We are here in company of the banks specifically UBA, for the approved currency swap approved by the CBN. The CBN has made it known to the banks to desist from giving out old money, what we are interested in is for them to issue out the redesigned notes.”
Speaking about the perceived scarcity of new notes Goringo added, “We have the notes available. We directed the banks to come and collect we opened Monday to Saturday. I will look at the issue and take necessary measures.”
Goringo revealed that the CBN has measures to ensure that banks don’t sabotage the process, adding that as for now the date remains 31st of January, 2022.
“Yes, there are measures. The CBN has introduced measures to checkmate them and there are penalties for non compliance. Well for now the date is sacrosanct and it’s still 31st January, 2022,” the branch controller said.
A trader, identified as Rabi’u Maimasara, said he was afraid of accepting old notes, stressing that the visit of the CBN has allayed his worries.
He said, “I initially stopped accepting old notes because of fears of changing it but our chairman prevailed on me. I will later sold over 60 bags of old maize with the old notes.”
