The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, met with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria and members of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents of Nigeria in the state to strategise on how to disburse cash to ease tension and lessen the hardship faced by Edo people in accessing the new naira notes.

The governor noted that the protest and violence in Benin on Wednesday, which led to the destruction of properties was unfortunate and that there are more money agents than bank branches in Edo State, urging AMMBAN members to collaborate with the government and CBN to address the situation.

He further charged the CBN officials to fund more PoS operators with cash to help reduce the tension in the state over cash shortage, noting that as they go into the markets with the necessary security to address the cash shortage since banks are not open and they are the only banks available for now.

He said the riot didn’t happen by accident, noting that the arsonists were sponsored by selfish politicians to cause crisis and disaffection in the state. The protest yesterday was beyond anger and it was politically motivated.

The security agencies are already working hard on arresting those involved in the destruction across some Benin City. The governor said that there is a lot of footage and those involved will be arrested and prosecuted.

In his response, the chairman of AMMBAN in the state, Mr Osaro Ekhator, expressed appreciation to the governor for the meeting, assuring him of the support of members of the association to bring a lasting solution to the current cash crisis.

The controller of the Benin branch of the CBN, Renner Jumbo assured that the bank would release more cash to PoS operators to ease the pain and tension of customers in Edo State, adding that the banks have refused to open following the destruction of their properties.