Amidst complaints of scarcity of the redesigned higher-denomination banknotes from circulation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to punish any commercial bank that is found to be hoarding the new currency notes.
The CBN made the vow during a sensitization programme on the new notes at the popular Kwari Market, Wapa Bureau De Change Market, Kofar Wambam market and the famous Kurmi market in Kano metropolis.
The apex bank said it has produced enough banknotes for circulation to all the banks across the country.
Kano Branch Controller of the bank, Umar Biu made the threat at Sabon Gari market in Kano today.
The central bank has been conducting sensitization campaign on the redesigned notes across the country. One of the messages is for Nigerians to ensure that they deposit the old naira notes with their host commercial banks or agent bankers before the expiration of the January 31, 2023 deadline.
Alhaji Biu urged traders at the market to report banks that were still loading the old naira notes on their Automatic Teller Machines (ATM).
On his part, chairman of Sabon Gari market traders, Alhaji Sule Kura, expressed concern over the non-availability of the new naira notes in most commercial banks.
Kura urged CBN to make the new naira notes much available to commercial banks so as to reduce the hardship being encountered by customers to get the notes.
