By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has said that it has stepped up its operational policies to avail consumers, bank customers and businesses the opportunities to reap from its various financial and economic interventions initiatives.
Although, it noted that despite its numerous strides over time, there has been undermining challenges of low public awareness on its intervention initiatives for the realisation of its goals.
Mr Godwin Emiefele , CBN Governor stated on Thursday at the apex bank 2-day fair in Sokoto which was simultaneously being conducted on virtual platform in Kebbi state with the theme: ” Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development “.
Emiefele represented by the acting Director , Communications Department , Mr Osita Nwanisobi said the essence of the fair was to further sensitize customers and the Nigeria public on how to access its various intervention and support programmes with a view to promoting and expanding financial stability and economic development which defines the theme of the fair.
According to the Director ” CBN wants to smoothen and simplify its policies accessibility in order to impact, boost relations , transactions and business opportunities for customers which would ultimately strengthen the economy.
” We want Nigerians to take charge of the window of opportunities available to them through our intervention activities. Let them know how to access and benefit from the programmes which are meant for them”, he stressed.
Nwanisobi pointed out that the CBN governor has emphatically insisted that the interventions were a direct product meant to serve the relevant financial and business concerns of Nigerians who needed such support to move the economy.
He noted that small and medium scale farmers had been the focus of the apex bank especially with reference to the Anchor borrower scheme.
” We have a guideline that stimulates and explained how to access all interventions through the bank Development and Finance Officer so that customers can leverage on them without bottle necks “, he pointed out.
Earlier, the apex bank Sokoto branch Controller, Yusuf Wali Baba said the fair was aimed at deepening credit delivery policies to real sectors driving the economy to create employment, reduce poverty and create wealth for general economic stability.
He however, explained that it was hinged on sensitizing bank customers and businesses including associations and groups on its initiatives through various programmes with focus on improving and supporting the economy.
” Our focus is to strategically attract attention on consumer protection through concerted efforts in order to to provide jobs and create wealth .
” We have made significant impact through anchor borrower programme, credit guarantee scheme and other agriculture related intervention initiatives”, he enumerated.
Baba also added” I am optimistic that he fair would fast track the facilitation of the needed impetus for informed decisions on access to law -priced and flexible credit facilities and financing , financial inclusion and literacy issues and challenges among other key areas of prospects to Nigeria’s economic development”, he said.
Meanwhile, presentations on consumer protection and payments management systems as well currency operations and development financing were made at the virtual fair held in Sokoto and Kebbi states respectively where several but key questions on related issues were extensively raised by stakeholders in attendance and responded to accordingly.
End.