The ‘No Banking Day’ protest declared by the civil society community in Nigeria is gradually taking off across the country.
The one-day banking boycott is in response by bank customers to several unwholesome practices by banks, including arbitrary deductions and outrageous charges made against account holders.Our correspondent gathered that the boycott is not restricted to physical banking transactions within bank premises, but meant to cover all manner of banking businesses, including transactions based on internet and mobile platforms.One of the facilitators of the protest and Lagos-based lawyer, EKE UCHE ONU told our correspondent on telephone that the protest started from 12midnight and will last for twenty-four hours.UCHE ONU who is the Executive Secretary of Consumer Rights Project, said about six thousand volunteers have been deployed nationwide to monitor compliance with the banking boycott.ONU said before the d-day of the protest, the facilitators had embarked on a national awareness campaign to mobilize Nigerians based on subtle appeal against the background of the exploitation of depositors by banks.He said the goal is to make the banks understand that customers are kings and should not be taken for granted or unduly exploited.However; it appears the banking boycott is not happening in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, as commercial banks are running their regular schedules, packed with customers.Some of those who spoke with correspondent CHINEDU IWUNNA said they could not help the situation, as they needed to make withdrawals urgently, while other respondents said they were simply not aware of any boycott protest.Around Agip area of Obio-Akpor, our correspondent UCHENDU EJIOWHOR reports that some of the banks located around had to keep their customers waiting until about 8.45AM in a bid to observe the situation before opening for business.Our man, VICTOR EZEAMA also visited banks around the new GRA in Port Harcourt and reports that banking premises are open for business and are streaming with customers.The situation is not different in the Federal Capital Territory, as our correspondent JAMES IGAH reports that banks are going about their normal routine.Banks around Kubwa and Zuba outskirts locations around Abuja are packed full with customers, as some of them questioned the rationale for a boycott of transactions.
