As the new withdrawal charges directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) takes effect in Nigeria, point-of-sale (POS) operators in Enugu state have expressed concerns over low patronage.
Since the Automatic Teller Machines began dispensing cash, the majority of POS owners stated that people now prefer to visit banks to pick up cash.
According to a report by Leadership newspaper, every Automated Teller Machine (ATM) owned by the different banks is now disbursing cash unlike before.
The report noted that people are no longer patronising POS operators, even though most machines are not dispensing large sums of money — possibly to discourage cash-selling practices.
Ifeoma Obigeri, a POS operator in Maryland, Enugu, claimed that since ATMs began disbursing cash, she has been struggling to earn enough to support her children.
“My brother, it is not funny, since today can you imagine that only three customers came to my stand. It is only today that I experience this low patronage.
“Although I’m happy that cash scarcity has disappeared in the banks since the Central Bank sanctioned some banks, we are now having low patronage because people now prefer to go to the banks to collect money, before, we were getting money from the markets and filling stations.
“If I’m asked to suggest, I will suggest that banks should concentrate on electronic banking so that we can also do our own business. If I tell you what the various POS Operators in Enugu are going through you will be surprised’” she stated.
According to Obinna Obikwu, another POS operator at New Haven, Enugu, if the low patronage continues, they could soon be forced out of business.
“We have even reduced the money we collect as charge and yet we are still experiencing low patronage. There is an amount of money we are expected to make to continue having our machines. The situation is not palatable at all.
Earlier, the CBN brought an end to charge-free cash withdrawals from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across Nigeria.
The CBN introduced charges on ATM withdrawals from other banks, thus ending the three free withdrawals a month that customers previously enjoyed.
The move was contained in a CBN circular released on the bank’s website and signed by the acting director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, John S. Onojah.
