Fuel/naira scarcity: Banks, ATMs shut in Ogun

From left: Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyanwo; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Dep. Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos, Cornelius Ojelabi, during a news conference on the issue of currency exchange and fuel scarcity, in Lagos on Wednesday February 8, 2023. Pix: Vanguard.

•As Sanwo-Olu slashes public transport fares by 50%; •Ondo youths block Ilesha-Akure-Owo highway

Following Tuesday’s protest when some banks and Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, were destroyed, all commercial banks in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, shut down. 

It was gathered that banks in Lalubu, Sapon, Panseke and Ibara areas of the state capital were under lock and key while their ATMs were also not functioning.

Many of the ATMs were attacked and vandalized by the protesters on Tuesday, forcing some staffers to flee through the back exit for safety.

Armed security operatives were also sighted manning the banks to secure them, having received the fiercest of attacks by youths protesting the cash and fuel scarcity in the society.

A source said  that there was an emergency meeting of regional heads and managers of banks in Abeokuta on Tuesday evening, where banks were directed not to open for business on Wednesday.

 

Sanwo-Olu slashes public transport fares by 50%

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, yesterday, announced measures to cushion the effects of the current naira and fuel scarcity in the state.

Sanwo-Olu, in a state of the nation broadcast, commended residents for keeping calm even in the face of "unfortunate hardship" due to the scarcity and resilience, adding that measures became necessary to ameliorate the situation among the vulnerable in the state.

The governor said: "I have found it necessary to address you following some events in our dear country. The currency exchange and the fuel situation have, no doubt, raised tension in the land. 

"We have taken some steps to cushion the effects of these measures that were announced at the federal level but with telling effects on states.

"To further support Lagosians to weather these stormy days, I, hereby, announce the following measures:

"A 50 per cent cut in fares on all our BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services, LAGFERRY. This will take effect from tomorrow for the next seven days.

"We will push out more Cowrie Cards to the existing 3 million cards to enable more Lagosians to get onboard our services.”

"I would also like to warn mischief makers who may see this as an opportunity to incite violence that this is not the way to go. 

"I enjoin every law-abiding citizen to go about their lawful business without fear," the governor urged.


Ondo youths block Ilesha-Akure-Owo highway

The protest over fuel and naira scarcity in the country continued, yesterday, as angry youths blocked the Ilesha-Akure-Owo highway, in Ondo State.  It will be recalled that some youths had blocked the Ore-Benin expressway to register their displeasure over the scarcity.

Also, banks and other business enterprises were closed across the state to avoid attacks.

Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, in the state, Mr. Oloroso Surprise, said the protest was to send a message to the government that the people are not happy.

Surprise said: "This is a peaceful protest. We are here to tell the government we are not happy but whoever wants to hijack this protest to loot and destroy properties will be handed over to the police."

Also speaking, one of the organisers of the protest, Mr Oluyemi Fasipe, said security operatives were informed before they took to the streets to protest the difficulty in buying petrol and withdrawing cash.

Another protester, Mr Omotayo Samuel, said: “We are not happy.

"We are now buying naira. The Federal Government should reverse this policy. It is politics to change money at this time.

"Many people are suffering it is difficult to get money these days."

Culled from Vanguard

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