In some parts of Ogun State, physically challenged beggars have expressed concern about the nationwide shortage of naira notes, claiming that this has reduced charitable giving.
They also complained that a lot of physically challenged beggars were having a hard time getting food and meeting their basic needs because of the decline in almsgiving.
They lamented that the lack of naira was making their lives unbearable and claimed that the nationwide shortage had slowed the rate at which they received assistance from individuals and organizations.
They added that the country was rapidly losing benevolent assistance from individuals and organizations.
In December, the currency redesign program was launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria to combat inflation and absorb excess liquidity outside of the banking system.
However, this redesign resulted in a shortage of naira, which was caused by the President’s orders to eliminate the previous N1000, N500, and N200 naira notes from circulation.
Nigerians continue to have difficulty obtaining cash, resulting in long lines at Automated Teller Machines and exorbitant fees for cash withdrawals from Point of Sale agents.
Even though the Supreme Court ruled against the naira redesign policy and ordered that the old notes naira should continue to be legal tender until December 31, this year, the naira scarcity has not subsided yet.
However, some of the beggars appealed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to address the issue of naira scarcity and find a means of alleviating the masses’ suffering.
One of the physically challenged beggars in Ogun State’s Ibafo region, Musa Ibrahim, said it was hard to find someone willing to give them fifty naira.
However, Ibrahim lamented that some individuals bring fruit or food, noting that the average daily alms donation is currently N20.
He went on to say, “We don’t get cash like we used to.” When we begged for assistance from passersby, they would respond that there was no money.
“Everyone is expressing their displeasure with the way the government policy is affecting them. We are also being affected by it. Money is absent.
We receive very little food from others. You will not receive more than N20 from anyone. Government action is absolutely necessary to address this issue.
Before the new naira policy, according to Ibrahim Athairu, he was able to provide for his family.
He lamented, “Before the issue of these new naira notes, the money I was getting was sufficient for the needs of my family and my transportation fare.”
“However, at the moment, it is even more challenging to obtain the funds necessary to transport me back to where I stay and eat.
I have only received N150 since the morning we left, and I must care for myself and two children. The policy informs us that I am unable to walk and that this is how I used to survive.
Suraju Talleh, another beggar, pleaded with the president to find a solution to the country’s naira scarcity problem, pointing out that many people were affected by it.
He continued, “Before the whole naira issue, I used to make more than N4,000 per day, but it is hard to even see N100 now.”
“People don’t have enough money, so how can they give from what’s barely enough for them?”