*In the interest of rural dwellers
Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has wholeheartedly supported the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy to have the Naira notes redesigned.
He, however, sought an extension of the January 2022 deadline to give rural dwellers the opportunity to be carried along.
The senator has always been passionate about the wellbeing of the ordinary Nigerians, which is why his foundation focuses on empowerment of the masses.
Kalu made the appeal for the extension during a debate in the Senate on Wednesday.
He specifically requested the Senate to invite the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to shed more light on the policy, while seeking an extension of the deadline to April 30, 2023, arguing that the January 30 date is too short a notice.
Other senators who spoke on the matter, also called for aggressive enlightenment by the CBN especially in the rural areas, to ensure that all Nigerians are made aware of the new policy.
They said such mass awareness creation would help Nigerians in the rural areas to comply with the policy in order that they do not lose their hard earned income.
Though the senators threw their weight behind the policy to redesign the Naira, they were also skeptical of the January 31, 2023 deadline to pay all cash in circulation into banks, saying the notice is too short.