Bank customers lament untold hardship they were subjected to in accessing their hard earned fund in the bank. Adding that they spent their precious time on queue to get paltry #2000 to #10000 depending on customers of the banks.
These were reactions of customers when members of online Media Chapel of Ekiti State Nigeria Union of Journalists went round banks, in the state to get reactions to Governor Oyebanji’s directives to banks and business men and women on the old naira notes and availability of cash to Ekiti people.
Reactions from the masses shown that the appeal of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji that commercial banks and business men and women should accept the old naira notes from customers was not followed. As banks, marketers, filling stations, super markets and stores visited failed to accept the old currency, saying, it was either cash or transfer.
At the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Bank road, Ado-Ekiti, a businessman, Chibuzor Anyah Ukwu described the development as very frustrating and disappointing, saying some people have been in the bank early in the morning without being attended to.
According to him, the worst aspect of the situation was the tear-gas released on them by the security agents present at the bank, describing such as uncalled for.
“I left my business to be here and nobody is in my shop as I speak to you”.
Another customer, who did not want his name in print said that after much plea, he was given only #2,000 which he said could not cover his transport fare from Aramoko to Ado.
At Keystone Bank dispensed #10000 to their customers. Pastor Agboola Abiodun noted that he had a bitter experience, as he spent hours on queue yet he couldn’t get money at the long run.
“It is becoming unbearable and unpalatable for somebody to have money in the bank, but unable to collect it to feed his family and meet other needs”.
At Stanbic IBTC, bank road, the branch manager said the money given to customers depend on their cash strength, saying they give between #5000 to # 10000. He added that the bank only accept old currency when the customers have complied with CBN directives on how to return old currency. He however said they do not take decisions from any body except their headquarters.
The situation was chaotic in FCMB, bank as customers lament that the bank ATMS were not dispensing, adding that those inside the banking hall were not attended to due to poor Network.
They however called on Government to make money available to safe the masses from imminent hunger and frustration in the land.
Profering solution to the cash imbroglio, Pastor Agboola said President Muhammadu Buhari should direct banks to start collecting the old naira notes and make the new notes available for the masses .
Some of the petrol stations visited around Ajilosun, Adebayo and bank road in Ado Ekiti did not accept old notes from motorists.
Speaking on cashless policy, a trader, Jickson Udoh noted that the cashless policy was really affecting their businesses, calling on federal government to make the new naira notes available for easy transaction.
In an interview, an official of Sterling Bank who preferred anonymity, said there was no directive from the CBN as regards the acceptance of the old naira notes.
At the Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB and other banks visited, the story is the same.