KANO State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has ordered the closure of popular supermarket, Wellcare over refusal to accept old naira from customers, News Point Nigeria gathered.
The Acting Chairman of Kano State Consumer Protection Council, Dr Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi disclosed this to newsmen, shortly after the closure of the mall.
According to Dan’Agundi, implementation of the order became necessary as the supermarket’s refusal to accept the old naira note is against the directives of Governor Ganduje for a continued acceptance of the old naira in the state.
He further stated that a legal action will be taken against the owners of the mall, and then cautioned other marketers in the state to abide by the instruction of the state govt for continued acceptance of the old naira note.
Meanwhile, Wellcare Alliance Limited, owners of Wellcare Supermarket have sent a plea and an apology letter to Governor Ganduje for an immediate intervention to re-open the supermarket.
The letter sighted by News Point Nigeria, reads in full:
“Dear Sir,
“A plea for an immediate intervention to re-open Wellcare Alliance Limited and an apology letter.
“Sir, Wellcare Alliance Limited is a registered company duly incorporated under the companies and allied matters act CAP C I4 LFN 2004, it is primarily engaged in the business of providing goods and services to members of the public through legitimate means.
“Sir Wellcare has always had an outstanding reputation in the market within the state and beyond, equally has abided by every rules and regulation which directly affects the company or a regulator without hesitation.
“Due to the federal Government policy on the New Naira Notes we gave wrong instructions to our staff that from the 10th day of February 2023 only the new Approved Naira Notes are to be in circulation, on an expansive investigation with our Bankers they declined to receive old Naira Notes on our behalf, unknown to all parties that the state has a policy that the old notes are to be in circulation.
“On this basis we sincerely apologies for our actions and deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused the state.
“We humbly plead that our business should be Re-opened for deserving members of the public as we undertake to receive Old Notes as valid tender to when the state issues and otherwise directive.
“Please do accept our regards and sincere apologies.”