The ongoing shortage of naira notes across the nation has alarmed certain physically disabled beggars in some areas of Ogun State, who regret that this has led to a drop in almsgiving.
Also, they bemoaned the fact that fewer people were offering alms, which had left many physically challenged beggars struggling to meet their basic needs for food and shelter.
They bemoaned that the statewide naira shortage was making life for them intolerable and that it had slowed down the rate at which they were receiving relief from individuals and organizations.
They also said that charitable help from people and organizations was rapidly vanishing in the nation.
The currency redesign initiative was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria in December with the goal of combating inflation and removing excess money from outside the banking system.
However, as a result of this redesign, the President’s orders to remove the previous N1000, N500, and N200 notes from circulation resulted in a scarcity of naira.
Long lines have formed at Automated Teller Machines due to Nigerians’ persistent difficulty getting cash, and Point of Sale employees charge outrageous fees for cash withdrawals.
Although the Supreme Court invalidated the naira redesign program and mandated that the old notes remain legal cash through December 31 of this year, there has still been no relief from the naira shortage.
However, several of the beggars who spoke with PUNCH HealthWise pleaded with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to address the naira scarcity issue and provide a solution to the people’s suffering.
One of the physically challenged beggars in the Ibafo neighborhood in Ogun State, Musa Ibrahim, claimed it was challenging to find someone willing to offer them fifty naira.
Ibrahim bemoaned the fact that some individuals send food or fruit, stating that the current standard donation for alms was N20 each day.
We no longer receive cash, he continued. They would claim there was no money when we pleaded for assistance from people who went by.
Everyone laments how the government’s policies are harming them. We are also being impacted by it. Money is nonexistent.
“They rarely give us much food. Nobody wants to give you more than N20. The government must take action in this regard.
Ibrahim Athairu asserted that prior to the implementation of the new naira policy, he was able to meet the needs of his family.
“Before the issuance of this new naira notes, the money I was getting was enough for my family’s requirements and my travel cost,” he bemoaned.
But right now, it is much more challenging to obtain the funds necessary to return to where I live and eat.
“I’ve only received N150 since the morning we left, and I have to take care of myself and two kids. The policy informs us, “I am unable to walk, and this is what I used to survive.”
Suraju Talleh, a different beggar, begged with the president to resolve the nation’s naira shortage problem, pointing out that many people were being adversely affected by it.
“I used to make over N4,000 every day before the whole naira problem, but now it’s hard to even see N100,” he continued.
They don’t have enough money, so how are they supposed to donate from the meager sums that aren’t even enough for them?
