Long queues of distraught bank customers still remain a common feature at the premises of commercial banks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday.
Despite yesterday being Sunday and a nonworking day, many of the customers arrived very early to lay siege at the bank premises, hoping to withdraw money from the ATMs.
Investigation by our reporter showed that major towns in the state also observed heavy crowd of customers itching to withdraw money
Reports from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital said many customers refused to attend church service in a desperate attempt to withdraw money to meet family needs.
This has made many frustrated customers called on the federal government to urgently find a lasting solution to the agony before it gets out of hand.
Many people who went out as early as 4.00 am to beat others to it at the ATM stands went home disappointed after spending several hours without getting any cash.
Similarly, POS agents complicated the harrowing experience as most of them said they did not have the new notes while the few ones paying are charging N100 for every N1000 withdrawn.
The situation has also led to almost a total collapse of the economy in major communities in the state.
Narrating his experience, a widow and mother of four, Mrs Kudirat Lawal, said she has not been getting enough sales from her pepper business because of the cash crunch
Mrs Kudirat said this has been affecting her home as she could not get money to feed herself and children who rely on the proceeds from the business to feed.
On his own, Mallam Ashafa Waheed, a trader of rice and beans said he has been recording low sales in the Last five days but the situation worsened on Thursday as no single person came to patronise him.
“People are complaining that they don’t have money and you cannot say they are telling lies. When you rush to the bank to deposit your old currency for fear of losing them to Naira redesign and to get back that cash is a problem, the situation becomes problematic and chaotic “.
“People want to buy and they don’t have money, we traders want to sell and no buyer is coming to us, our leaders must do something.
