Group demands CBN to withdraw old, tattered Naira notes from circulation

* Says exposure to dirty, mutilated notes constitutes health hazard to consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
A group, Association of Progressive Nigerians (APN), has urged the Central Bank of Nigrra (Nigeria) to withdraw old and tattered Naira notes from circulation amid the COVID- 19 pandemic.

The association issued the appeal to the Apex Bank in a joint statement by Alhaji Mohammed Bello, President and Mr. Oluwole Aina, General Secretary of the group, in Lagos, Saturday, May 2.

Agency report indicates the Association stated that the appeal became necessary as the continued recirculation of old, tattered Naira notes might lead to further spread of the pandemic.

It ssid: “We hereby appeal to the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to please withdraw these old and tattered Naira notes from circulation as continued recycling of such notes may endanger public health and lead to the further spread of the dreaded Coronavirus.

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that what most banks are doing is to push out these dirty Naira notes in endless recycling of what should have been withdrawn and replaced with freshly minted notes.

The group further stated it is more worrisome that when you withdraw from ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) across the country, what you have on your hands are dirty, mutilated and tattered Naira notes.

“They ought to be rejected outright by all Nigerians lest they expose themselves to a health hazard.”

Such dirty notes, once received by banks, are immediately sent to the mint for replacement in advanced countries, it noted.

The association said: “We appeal to the CBN Governor to ensure that the best international practices are observed in the handling of old naira notes.

“Our Naira notes should be seen as a national symbol and we should not diminish our country in the comity of nations.”