Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has assured Nigerians that banks would continue online transactions and ATM operations during the period of lock down announced by President Muhammadu Buhari as measures to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement on Monday titled ‘Notice to affected stakeholders and general public regarding COVID-19 and restrictions in movement of persons’, the finance minister said an exemption has been obtained 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 the period of the movement restrictions.
She stated: “To ensure that Nigerians can still perform online transactions and use of 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 the time.
“To this end, all 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. We urge all Nigerians to be patient, cooperative and united as all hands are on deck to defeat this virus.”
