Traders, others reject old Naira notes in Gombe

Traders, operators of Point On Sale (POS), and commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators have started rejecting the old N200, N500 and N1000 currency notes in Gombe State.

Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state metropolis now demand transfer from passengers rather than accept the old notes.

Aside from these, many filing stations too have shut down for fear of trading with the said currencies.

All these are in spite of the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria against such a move.

The Guardian Newspaper discovered that many traders especially petty traders always demand the display of new Naira notes before opening discussion with anyone seeking their attention failure of which they turned their backs against further negotiations.

According to those interviewed, they started requesting the redesigned currencies because of the long queue at the banks while depositing the old notes.

Mallam Yunus Isa told our correspondent that: “me I can no longer take the risk, imagine, the CBN said Monday is the last day, that there won’t be extension yet commercial banks refuse to load new currencies in their ATMs, who is a fool”? He asked.

A commercial motorcyclist, Adamu Babangida who was ready to fight his passenger over the old N200 naira note asked Mr. Muhammed Kumo to make transfer into his (Adamu’s) bank account.

He said: “if this man no get new money let him transfer it to my account.” However, Adamu’s compliance saved the situation.

Also, some of the many filing stations visited confided in our correspondent that they could no longer continue to accept the old notes from customers.

The situation has however led to long and unbearable queues at few stations accepting the old notes.

At the banks monitored in Gombe, many customers were seen making serious deposit while those who came for withdrawal also left the banking hall with old notes.

A staff who preferred anonymity insisted that the redesigned Naira notes are not circulation.