There is serious tension in Udu, Effurun and some parts of Warri and Udu, in Delta State as protesters today took to the streets to protest the hardship, scarcity of the new naira notes and rejection of the old notes in the state.
Main while DAILY TRUST gathered that at about three commercial banks including Union Bank and Access/Diamond Bank had been set ablaze by the angry protesters especially in Udu Local Government Area
According to sources, “about four vehicles have been set ablaze by the protesters in and around Udu Express Junction and Ovwian area.”
“There were serious gunshots by soldiers and policemen drafted to protect several banks in Udu, Effurun and Warri Area
“Protesters also barricaded the popular Udu Express Junction and Orhuwhorun Roundabout in Udu to prevent vehiclela movement in the area.
“The bank customers took to protest after the banks refused to issue the new naira notes to those who had besieged the banks for cash.
“The incident have led to heavy tension in Warri, Udu and Effurun Local Government Area’s as all banks in the areas have been shut down.
“Residents, Commercial shops and offices around the troubled areas have also shut businesses leading to apprehension as various Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in Udu, Effurun and Warri were not dispensing cash prior to the protest.
“Markers, traders, shop owners, filling stations and transporters have stopped collecting the old naira notes from customers”
Main while, the Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has appealed to citizens of the state and Nigerians to remain calm amidst scarcity of the new naira notes in the country.
The governor’s appeal is coming on the heals of protests by some citizens of the state at Orhuwhorun Community in Udu Local Government Area of the state where a bank’s ATM gallery was reportedly torched.
Okowa’s appeal was contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba.
He called on the people to remain calm while also appealing to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the monetary authorities to take further steps in increasing the money supply in the system.
“We appeal to our brothers and sisters across the state to keep calm in spite of the current travails they are going through as a result of the scarcity of naira notes in the country.
“As a government we are not unaware of your sufferings but we appeal to you to be patient with the monetary authorities as they take steps to improve on the money supply in the country.
“We are very much aware of Your pains and converns, but burning down a bank that employs our people will not augur well for us as a nation even as it will not also solve the problem but will further compound the situation.
“Once again we appeal to you all to sheath your swords while we continue to engage the CBN to ensure more funds are released to the banks in the country,” he stated.
