COVID-19: Buhari approves ‘very skeletal operations’ by banks during lockdown

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday approved “skeletal operations” by banks and other key players in the financial services sector following the restriction order placed on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states.

The President had on Sunday ordered a total cessation of movement in the three cities in a bid to check further spread of the disease that had infected 111 Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who disclosed this in a joint statement, said financial institutions were directed to ensure skeletal operations in the Financial System and Money Markets in order to keep the system in light operations during this time.

The statement read: “To ensure that Nigerians can still perform online transactions and use ATMs whilst observing these restrictions, we will like to inform the general public and all affected stakeholders that we have obtained exemptions from the President to allow very skeletal operations in the Financial System and Money Markets in order to keep the system in light operations during this time.

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“All the relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses.

“We are mindful of the difficulties these restrictions would bring on ordinary Nigerians and are grateful to the President for approving these exemptions, which should help ease some of these burdens.”

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