The authorities of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN have asked customers to remain enlightened over their rights as bank customers and should channel their complaints appropriately.

As at August 2014, the CBN has been able to get banks to refund over N17 billion to customers for either wrongful or excess charge.

This was disclosed to newsmen in Calabar at a press briefing to herald a one week event in Cross River State, including a workshop to enlighten the populace on financial inclusion, strategies and how to relate with their respective banks.

Mr. Mua’zu Ibrahim, Director Corporate Communications of the apex bank said the bank is making effort that would have a direct impact on the populace.

He added that during the course of the workshop in Calabar the bank would embark on road shows and enlightenment programmes on radio and television for the campaign to reach the grassroots.

The Head of Consumer Education, Hajia Khadijah Kassim, said the bank was poised to ensure that the rural populace are aware of their rights and responsibilities to their banks and recalled that during the global financial meltdown a few years back, it was discovered after research that ignorance on the part of the populace was a major reason why it had so much negative impact on the economy.

She added that after the workshop and sensitisation the people would be able to make informed choices on which of the commercial banks products they are to patronise.

Hajia Kassim advocated for more enlightenment which she said would raise their confidence and allow them take advantage of the numerous credit facilities provided by the banks

On the Cash on Transaction, COT she said the charges are being reduced periodically and would by next year be a paltry sum of one Naira and complaints now take a maximum of thirty days to be resolved.