Gov Rochas Okorocha in a group pix with CBN members who paid him courtesy visit to Govt. House, Owerri recently
…By Emma Okereke,
Owerri…
The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has expressed the willingness of his administration to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the new policy christened “Cashless Policy”, introduced by the Apex Bank saying that the policy would reduce crime, corruption and money laundering in the country.
He said so when the CBN delegates led by the Head Shared Services Mr. Chidi Umeano paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Owerri.
Governor Okorocha noted that the policy will turn around the economy of the nation as well as, make life easier for Nigerians. He further stressed the need for CBN to carry the populace along in the scheme.
He urged them to look into the handling of the state government accounts by the commercial bank for proper accountability as well as to embark on massive awareness to enable Nigerians understand the policy.
The Head Shared Services of the Apex bank, Mr. Chidi Umeano said that the cashless policy was introduced to discourage the high usage of cash across the economy, which has many negative consequences, such as high cost of cash, high risk of using cash, high subsidy and informal economy.
Mr. Chidi said the main objective of the policy is to meet up with vision 20-20 requirement, modernize Nigerians payment system, reduce the cost of banking services, improve effectiveness of monetary policy and as well as foster transparency and curb corruption leakages in the society, adding that the policy will improve the IGR of the state.
He called on Nigerians to embrace the policy to enable the country move forward.
The Comptroller CBN Owerri branch, Mr. Aligwe Romanus Kalik commended the state governor for providing a conducive environment for banking sectors in the state through massive developmental projects and security.
He disclosed that the CBN Owerri branch is ranking number one among the 36 branches of CBN in the country.