President Muhammadu Buhari stated on Saturday that he is aware that poor Nigerians are 'faced with hardship' as a result of the government's currency change policy.
Mr Buhari made the remarks in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
"While taking note that the poorest section of society is facing hardship because they frequently keep hard cash at home for various expenses, President Buhari gave strong assurances that the government will not leave them to their own fate," Mr Shehu said.
Prime9jaOnline has reported that millions of Nigerians are finding it difficult to obtain new naira notes, just a few days before the 31 January deadline for the use of old notes.
While many Nigerians have called for the deadline to be extended, Mr Buhari has remained silent on any extension in his statement.
In his statement, Mr Shehu said the Buhari administration “will ensure that citizens are unharmed in their businesses and no disruption is caused to the entire supply chain arising from the currency swap due to end shortly.”
Read Mr Shehu’s full statement below;
President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday assured that government will ensure that citizens are unharmed in their businesses and no disruption is caused to the entire supply chain arising from the currency swap due to end shortly.
Reacting to reports of long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit old notes and get new ones, triggering public anger and opposition’s criticism, President Buhari reiterated that the currency changes were aimed at people hoarding illicit funds and not the common man, and that it had become necessary to prevent counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding. This, he assured, will stabilize and strengthen the economy.
While taking note that the poorest section of society is facing hardship as they often keep hard cash at home for various expenses, President Buhari gave strong assurances that the government will not leave them to their own fate.
He reiterated that a number of initiatives by the Central Bank and all commercial banks are underway to speed up the distribution of the new notes and do all that is necessary to forestall cash squeeze and chaos.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President