Niger Delta
POS, Bankers, Others Risk Jail In Bayelsa
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yenagoa Branch, said it would commence taking up bullish actions against operators of point of sales outlets(POS), banks and other service providers who refuse to render services in consonance with its financial rules and regulations governing the cashless economic policies.
The Tide gathered this during a media briefing held at the instance of the Director, Governor’s Department of the CBN, Mr Joseph Omayokun, at the Yenagoa branch office of the bank.
Omayokun alleged that some fifth columnists may have hijacked the apex bank’s motive of the redesigned new Naira notes.
He expressed regret that the fifth columnists have subjected Nigerians to untold hardship, even as the apex bank has continued to work within the confines of the extant laws and regulations establishing it, to ameliorate the cash crunch issue bedeviling the nation.
He warned against criminal elements and perpetrators of fraudulent acts in the course of carrying out financial transactions following the rampant artificial scarcity of the new and old notes.
He noted that prior to the introduction of the new notes, and stating of time lines within which the old notes would stop being legal tenders, the apex bank had injected substantial amount of the newly redesigned notes into circulation.
The CBN Director emphasised that what the bank has brought into circulation was enough to take care of economic activities in the nation
He said he would convene a meeting with the various banks operating in the state with a view to proffer workable solutions to some of the likely difficulties occasioned by the cash crunch in the banking sector.
“Prior to the CBN’s intitial timelines on when the old Naira notes would cease being legal tender, the apex bank injected substantial amount of the newly redesigned notes into the financial sector.
“Unfortunately, there seem to be a fifth columnist in the banking sector who never wanted the rationale behind the CBN Naira redesign and cashless policies to be achieved.
“Any bank or staff of a bank in the state caught engaging in hoarding cash would be arrested and prosecuted. For the POS operators, the maximum amount they’re expected to charge on customers for a transaction of N10,000 was not supposed to be more than N200,” he said.
“From information at our disposal, POS agents now charge between N1,000 and N2,000 for a transaction of N10,000. This is disheartening.
“Even the petrol stations and other business operators who used to accept electronic transfer as options for payment by customers too are now rejecting it upon the introduction of the newly redesigned notes. They’ve all resorted to cash payments, just to undermine and frustrate the CBN’s cashless policy.
“It’s fraudulent, the public should report any POS operator who charges more than the maximum amount expected as charges on customers of any business outfit who rejects any of the extant electronic option of payment from customers, and be rest assured that the CBN wouldn’t only arrest, but also prosecute such persons.
“The general public should also know that not all POS operators were licensed to operate as cash withdrawal and deposit agents.
“Some POS outlets were only registered to use POS as means for electronic payment in their supermarkets and other businesses, but upon the introduction of the redesign notes, almost all POS agents from information available were now operating as deposit and withdrawal points just to defraud customers with the illegal charges they get from their illegal transactions.
“Going forward, we’d be bullish on these set of fraudulent elements”, the apex bank added.
By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.