By Sarah NEGEDU
Operators of events centres, clubs and lounges across the county, have been asked to guide against the abuse of naira, as the currency has been described as a national treasure that should be protected by all.
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, made the call during a sensitization and enlightenment session with operators of such outlets at the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on Thursday.
The Chairman who spoke through the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Effa Okim, noted that spraying of naira at event was a wrong mentality which should be discouraged.
He stressed that to spraying of money was at the foundation of economic and financial crimes in the country. “Young people growing up and seeing adult spraying money will grow up with the wrong values. They want to emulate what those ahead of them are doing and so they get involved in illegitimate activities to make money so they can spray in event. So, you see Yahoo boys spraying their ill-gotten money at nightclubs, throwing it into the air and showcasing their vanity.”
He therefore urged the operators to enlighten their customers on the danger of spraying money at their facilities as the Commission will arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“We are doing this today because we want to partner with you to tackle this malaise. We are not against your legitimate business which is vital to economic growth. What we are against are your customers who come to your facilities and abuse the Naira, we want you to take measures to forestall this. Let them know that they cannot spray money in your facilities as it is against the law.”
Darlington Eneneba, a manager of a lounge thanked the Commission for the enlightenment. He, however, appealed for a considerable period to enable them sensitize their customers.
