By Enyichukwu Enemanna
For the third time since the scarcity of Naira notes escalated, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Monday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The central bank chief however did not disclose to journalists details of the private meeting but our correspondent learnt from a reliable source that it may not be unconnected with the crunch of the local currency, Naira that has crippled business and commercial activities in the West African country.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had late last year redesigned the 1000, 500 and 200 Naira notes to among other things tackle insecurity and inflation.
Since the redesign however, the new notes have remained scarce even as the Jan. 1 and Feb. 10 deadline for the old notes to lose their legal tender status were missed.
The Supreme Court had ordered the Central Bank not to implement the Feb. 10 deadline following a suit by three states of the country seeking an extension to phase out the old currency notes.
Also last Friday, the Council of State comprising former presidents and governors had backed the new currency redesign policy but advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the availability of naira notes to douse tension and ameliorate the suffering of citizens across the country.
Governor of Taraba state, Darius Ishaku had while briefing newsmen said the CBN governor was advised to make new naira notes available or re-circulate old ones to ease the suffering of Nigerians.
He, however, added that the president would take a final decision, having received advice from members of the Council of State.
