Cash Crunch, Fuel Scarcity: Violence is never the solution — Our Security, Our Peace By Prof. O.E Bassey 

Last week saw the country experience an ‘unprecedented’ event that affected almost all Nigerians as many struggled to get cash for their day-to-day activities, not to forget how economic activities were crippled as a result of the scarcity of naira notes.

To compound this, was the twin: fuel scarcity which cannot be termed ‘unprecedented’ but certainly, a pain in the neck of Nigerians who are dependent on road transportation to move from one place to another and those whose commercial earnings come from the transportation sector.

It was undoubtedly one week to forget in the country, with many hoping the drudgery does not get to repeat itself this new week.

Although the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has insisted that it will not be extending the deadline of February 10 for the swap of the new naira notes, the banks are reportedly still with limited amount of the new notes to adequately dispense to Nigerians, hence the cash-crisis inflicting difficulties on Nigerians.

Expectedly, such difficulty will enrage people who have worked so hard for their money and now want to retrieve it from their financial institution but told there is a limit to how much will be given to them, or they instead get charged exorbitantly from PoS agents in the process of withdrawing their preferred amount. Not to forget how seemingly conspiratorial most bank apps contrived to be in inhibiting people from making use of mobile and internet banking for their financial transactions.

Hardly was there a Nigerian bank in the gone-by week that never had to deal with enraged customers who stormed their hall punctilious and aggressive to collect their money in the erroneous assumption that the banks are deliberately denying them their money.

The truth is, we must brace up for a likely repeat of the current crash crunch this week but what we must not exhibit as law-abiding and peaceful citizens is the act of violence that characterized the reaction of some people last week.

The government policy to have the naira notes changed was not expected to be a smooth and seamless transition but one that will come with frictions here and there like everything good coming with their challenges. What we are experiencing is simply the sacrifice we have to pay and endure for a policy that will eventually come off best when the transition is fully completed.

As Nigerians, we need to understand this and work in tandem with the government to see that the transition that holds a lot of benefits for the economy and security of the nation is completed successfully. We have started this, and we cannot come this far just to have the broth spoilt.

Agreeably, your finance should not be sacrificed all because a policy is being transitioned, but like the CBN and the banks have promised, the limit will be upped this coming week, more cash will flow in and other alternative options like the online banking will provide better services for there to be less challenges with our daily financial transactions.

The fuel scarcity has also seen its own peculiar reactions coming in as people still find it difficult getting fuel for the respective purposes they need it for, or in some cases, most people getting it for outrageous amount.

This in turn sparks rage, impatience and sometimes, violence. We need to understand that never has there been a situation violence has solved. Scarcity of a commodity is never a convenience, but neither is violence a solution. So in all we do, and in all dissatisfaction we experience from not being able to get commodities like fuel, the last thing we should ever think of is violence. We can direct our dissatisfaction to the government, report to the media, or better still, with the election two weeks away, get ready to enforce your civic responsibility by electing those who you know will listen to your plight and have the capacity to ensure that scarcity of essential commodities become a thing of the past.

Again, violence is never a solution. If anything, it brings more crisis than peace. Therefore, as you go through the fuel scarcity and cash crunch this week, ensure you eschew violence and get ready to make your voice heard from the polls.

Ezekiel 45:9 Thus says the Lord GOD: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness.

Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is a professor in Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution, a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

Prof. Bassey has served and interacted at the top-level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is currently the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

To his many humanitarian acts, he currently spearheads a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders” billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

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Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com