Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The House of Representatives has expressed concern over another request by the Governor of Central Bank,CBN, Godwin Emefiele to postpone his appearance to brief lawmakers on the new and controversial policy on cash withdrawal limits.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over plenary on Tuesday further expressed dismay over the apex bank’s repeated excuses.
Lawmakers during plenary were of the view that if the CBN governor could not appear in person to explain things out for the Parliament, then his deputy or next in hierarchy of the institution should appear to represent him.
They held that the CBN’s inability to appear before lawmakers is an act of insubordination as no agency of government should take the legislators for granted no matter its affinity with the executive arm.
The CBN Governor was about three weeks ago advised by the lawmakers in the House to immediately suspend the new policy on cash withdrawal limits as well as appear before it to explain the rationale for the new policy.
The first appearance was to take place on the 15th December 2022 but did not hold as a result of unavailability of the CBN Governor.
Again, Tuesday, 20th December, 2022, the House received another letter from the Governor of the Bank that he is away from the country as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation to Washington DC and therefore will not be able to appear before the House for the rescheduled briefing over the proposed policy on cash withdrawal limits.
Consequently the briefing is expected to take place next week being Thursday 23th Dec.2022.
At present, it is not certain whether the Apex Bank governor will appear before lawmakers next week in person or through a representative to explain things out.