We’ll treat erring banks as saboteurs – Abiodun vows

– begins distribution of 400 000 food items to vulnerable citizens

The Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun has declared that any bank or banker caught diverting or withholding the new naira notes will be treated as economic saboteurs adding that the state government will not hesitate to wield the big stick.

The governor stated this on Friday evening in a statewide broadcast on the issue of fuel scarcity and cash crunch.

Gov. Abiodun said the government is equally working round the clock to facilitate the adequate supply of petroleum products to designated filling stations.

“While the CBN has assured that there will be adequate money supply to the money deposit banks in the days ahead, we expect the banks to promptly disburse the money as directed and not to divert or withhold same for whatever reasons. The government will treat any erring banks and bankers as economic saboteurs and will not hesitate to wield the big stick”.

“Just as we are tackling the naira supply challenge, your government is equally working round the clock to facilitate the adequate supply of petroleum products to designated filling stations. The result will be seen in the next few days”, he said.

Recall that the issue of fuel and cash scarcity had lead to a violent protest on Tuesday 7th of February where irate youths attacked some banks and damaged some POS terminals in the state capital.

Gov. Abiodun appealed to the citizens and residents of the state not to take laws into their hands as the government is doing everything to resolve the issues.

“I appeal to our people, especially our youths, not to take law into their hands. 

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We have heard their voices loud and clear, and we are responding. I want to assure you that necessary measures are being taken, and in the next few days, you will see in concrete terms the manifestations of the relief being sought.

I appeal to our leaders at various levels, including our revered Royal Fathers, Civil Society Organisations, Youth Organisations, Students’ Bodies, the Organised Labour and Religious Leaders to help sensitise our people on the need to embrace peace and Dialogue in resolving these issues. I am more than convinced that the CBN Policy on the New Naira Notes is not a punitive measure but aimed at addressing perceived fundamental problems associated with money management in our economy”.

The state helmsman also announced that the state government will begin the disbursement of the first phase of 400,000 food items through its social investment officers in each LGA to vulnerable citizens to cushion the effect of the fuel and cash scarcity.

“As a responsible administration despite all the aforementioned, and worried about how long this has taken to resolve, We have decided to directly provide palliatives to the poor and vulnerable citizens across the length and breadth of the state. We will be distributing the first phase of 400,000 food items through our social investment officers in each LGA to the communities starting from this weekend.

We hope this social intervention provides some succour to our people. Again, we apologise for the inadvertent hardship and inconveniences this policy has caused all of us”.