By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, led other top government officials for an on-the-spot assessment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions that were damaged during the violent protests in Benin City over the difficulty in accessing the redesigned naira notes.
He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, and Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, among others.
The governor was taken round facilities at the CBN office by the Director of Risk Management, Blaise Ijebor, where customers were seen depositing the old naira notes (N1,000 and N500) after fulfilling some requirements laid down by the apex bank.
Some financial institutions whose facilities were destroyed by the protesters include WEMA, Access, UBA, Fidelity, and Sterling banks, amongst others.
Obaseki at the inspection of the facilities interacted with traders within the metropolis who condemned, in strong terms, the destruction of banks and other public facilities along the Akpakpava axis of Benin City.
The traders called for the arrest and prosecution of any person involved in the dastardly act.
A trader at Mission road, Mr. Awhotu Oghene while expressing his displeasure over the destruction of WEMA Bank’s assets in Akpakpava, said the violent protest and destruction were uncalled for as WEMA bank has been disbursing customers the new naira notes and receiving the old notes, in line with the CBN directive.
