The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Awka said on Tuesday that further sensitisation to its cashless policy in Anambra would be intensified before the policy’s second phase takes-off in October.
CBN’s Branch Controller in Awka, Mr. Azubuike Okoro, told newsmen recently that more awareness of the cashless policy was necessary before its eventual take-off in Anambra.
He told newsmen that the second phase of the policy, which was due to begin on July 1, was suspended till October 1 in the state.
Okoro said that there was the need for “wider and deeper“ enlightenment on the policy so as not to leave any section of the society, “behind in the new payment system“.
He explained that stakeholders’ meetings would be organised by the CBN, in addition to holding a “road show“ on the policy’s desirability to the society.
Okoro said financial institutions, market unions, civil society groups and government workers would be engaged to further make the policy known to Anambra residents.
“‘As things stand now, all the charges that come with the policy are also suspended.
“But people should begin to prepare their minds for the new date of October 1,“ he said.
Okoro said that the decision to extend the take-off of the policy in Anambra to October 1 was not based on politics.
“Although you cannot completely separate politics from economy, there was no political or special interest in this decision and development.
“The Cashless policy is a national policy and many other states were also affected by the extension,“ Okoro said.
Meanwhile, a community leader, Chief Alex Okoli, has urged the CBN to do more in educating the people through the mass media on its cashless policy.
Okoli said that the policy would reduce corruption and enhance data-based planning.
“The CBN should organise town hall meetings in Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and other major commercial centres and educate the people using their dialects.