Ganduje orders closure of popular supermarket over refusal to collect old naira notes

Kano state Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the acting chairman of Kano State Consumer Protection Council, Baffa Babba Dan’agundi to shut down WellCare supermarket that sells food products and pharmaceutical drugs.

The order of closure follows the refusal of WellCare supermarket to accept the old naira notes from customers against instruction by the Kano state government to continue accepting the old notes.

The acting Chairman disclosed that after shutting down the supermarket, legal action will be taken against WellCare supermarket.

He warned other marketers in Kano to be aware that the state government has not banned the use of old Naira notes as legal tender. therefore, any shop caught not receiving the old notes will be dealt with decisively.

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However, it was gathered that WellCare Alliance Limited has sent a plea and an apology letter to Governor Ganduje for an immediate intervention to re-open the supermarket.

The letter reads;

“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 rule 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.”

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