The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the current situation in the country as it is needed for the country’s economic growth.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who made this known at the 65th ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team in the State House, Abuja, said the federal government was worried about the suffering of citizens over the currency swap in banks across the country but described the development as transient pain.
The minister, who stressed that the new policy was necessary and appropriate at this moment to combat corruption, added that it had had some positive effects with the massive mop up of funds outside the banking system.
“Let me just give you an analogy. If you have a wound, for you to be able to heal that wound, you need to be dressed. And sometimes, when you go to the hospital, they put iodine on the wound and it is very painful. It is necessary to do that to be able to get the wound to heal.
“So, it’s not easy. Mr. President is not happy that citizens are suffering. But we are convinced that it is something that needs to be done at this time and also the Central Bank has been responsive in terms of providing some extension and also further explanation that come the closing date, that it is not all over.
