Naira Scarcity: Buhari Enjoins Citizens to Endure Hardship

Pat Stevens/

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to endure the hardship caused by the scarcity of new naira notes, while his government continues to seek lasting solutions to the problem.

Buhari made the appeal in a tweet this afternoon.

The President said he was aware of the hardship being faced by majority of the citizens but urged them to be patient with the government.

According to him, the recent policies of his administration were meant “to bring overall improvement to the country.”

Buhari’s tweet reads, “I am fully aware of the current hardship being faced as a result of some policies meant to bring overall improvement to the country. I’m appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take measures to ease these hardships. God willing,there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

The naira redesign policy of the government, which was hurriedly implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria, has brought untold hardship to citizens who could no longer access cash for their day-to-day expenses.

The situation was compounded by the announcement by government that the old naira notes ceased to be a legal tender from February 10, resulting in massive currency racketeering among banks and mobile money operators who charge as high 20 percent for cash withdrawal.