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Naira Scarcity: Small business owners are suffering, Ondo chamber of commerce cries out

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The Ondo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ONDOCCIMA, has cried out over the sufferings imposed on the people of the state by the new Naira policy.

ONDOCCIMA, in a press statement by its spokesman, Adeboro Onibalusi, on Tuesday, said the government policy has crumbled MSME’s activities in Ondo State, lamenting that access to both old new money notes has become difficult for business operations in the state.

“Money is not accessible to members at banks and Pos accross the state,” the statement read in part.

ONDOCCIMA calls on government to, as a matter of urgency, extend the terminal date of for the use of the old currency to at least 3 more months.

“We urge that government make a gradual move towards e-transaction instead of this abrupt and sudden change which has brought suffering on the common man.

“The new currency should be made a available at over the counter transactions in banks, ATMs and POS.

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“The old and new currency should be accepted as legal tenders side by side for the next 3 months.”

However, ONDOCCIMA commended the government and the CBN for the beautiful inovation of including tracking numbers on the new notes, which it says will go a long way in curbing kidnapping, terrorism financing and money laundering.

Meanwhile, at the CBN Bankers Committee meeting on Tuesday, the Governor instructed banks as follows:

1. No Bank is authorised to pay out OLD NOTES again via ATMs or in bank branches over the counter

2. No payment of new notes over the counter. Banks are only allowed to release new notes via ATMs

3. Corporates that require cash should only be given the old N100 notes and below. Corporates must not be given the new notes.

4. EFCC/ICPC officials will accompany CBN examiners to inspect bank branches over the next two weeks to assess full Compliance with CBN guidelines above.

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5. Officials of branches that fail to comply or that release cash to Corporates and Politicians will face termination of their contracts and the respective banks will be sanctioned

6. No branch should allow an individual with multiple Debit cards to do multiple transactions on ATMs.

7. All new notes have tracking numbers to trace them back to State, Bank and Bank branches. So notes confiscated at parties and other locations can be traced back to the Bank and applicable branch.

But ONDOCCIMA refers to the CBN’s guidelines as draconian and anti-people. According to it, six of the seven guidelines by the apex bank are designed to kill small businesses and the common man.

“If you go through the guidelines, you’ll realise that they are designed against the common man and small business owners.

“Businesses like POS operators are already going out of business because they cannot access enough cash to run their businesses, it is the same for the people. They can no longer access the cash to run their businesses. The people are getting frustrated by this policy.

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“It is not surprising that poor market women and artisans who were fed up with the sufferings inflicted on them by the CBN policy trooped onto the streets of Akure on Tueday in protest and vowing not to participate in the election. It will be a shame if that happens,” ONDOCCIMA said.

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UPDATED: Lawmakers exchange blows as Cross River assembly impeaches speaker 

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Elvert Ayambem, speaker of the Cross River state house of assembly, has been impeached.

 

Ayambem was impeached during plenary on Wednesday over allegations bordering on financial misappropriation and incompetence.

 

The impeachment notice was signed by 17 members of the assembly.

 

There are 25 members in the Cross River assembly.

 

The motion for the impeachment was moved by Effiong Ekarika, lawmaker representing Calabar south 1 constituency, and seconded by Omang Charles of Bekwarra constituency.

 

A rowdy session ensued after Ayambem was impeached.

 

One of the lawmakers made a dash for the mace, which is the symbol of authority of the speaker.

 

However, the legislator with the mace refused to let go, resulting in a struggle, fisticuffs and a brawl in the chamber.

 

THE CASE AGAINST AYAMBEM

In the impeachment notice, the lawmakers alleged that Ayambem misappropriated N48 million meant for the payment of electricity bills of the assembly complex and quarters.

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The lawmakers also alleged that the impeached speaker misappropriated 2 percent of all revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monthly to the tune of N404 million.

 

“Misappropriation of the sum of N19,437, 844.00 (Nineteen Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and forty-five Naira) from Local Government deduction and 11 months deductions which he allegedly failed to disclose to members,” the impeachment notice reads.

 

“Incompetence and wrong conduct of plenary proceedings: Un-parliamentary way of conducting proceedings.

 

“Appointment of members to move or second motions rather than allowing interested members to raise their hands.

 

“Non-compliance with the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.

 

“Arbitrary approval of expenditure in flagrant breach of the provisions of Section 9(1) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.

 

“Approvals beyond the limit which the Speaker can approve contrary to Section 9(10) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.”

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The lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice are Kingsley Ntui, Okon Owuna, Samuel Neji Abang, Cyril James Omini, Stanley Nsemo, Charles Omang Omang, Thomas Aruku, Eyo Bassey, Bassey Bassey Effiong, Francis Onete Ogban, Victor Nsa, Ovat Agbor, Pius Ashas Ashakia, Martins Achadu, Effiong Ekarika, Egbe Abeng Egbe, and Hilary Bisong.

 

In June 2023, Ayambem who represents Ikom 2 constituency, was elected speaker of the 10th assembly.

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Shehu Mohammed as FRSC corps marshal

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Shehu Mohammed as the corps marshal and the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

 

In a statement on Wednesday, Segun Imohiosen, director of information in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (AGF), announced the appointment.

 

Details later…

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BREAKING: Cross River assembly impeaches speaker Elvert Ayambem

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Rt. Hon. Elvert Ekom Ayambem has been impeached as the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

 

The Speaker was impeached on Wednesday by 17 members of the house over allegations of misappropriation of funds.

 

The impeachment motion was moved by Hon. Effiom Ekarika representing Calabar South 1 Constituency and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang representing Bekwarra State Constituency.

 

Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem was elected Speaker of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.

 

Ayambem represents Ikom 2 State Constituency in the Houses of Assembly.

More to follow…

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