Point On Sale (POS) operators in Enugu State have expressed worry over low patronage following the end of cash scarcity in the state.
Most of the POS owners who spoke to our correspondent in exclusive interviews said people now prefer to go to banks to collect cash since the Automatic Teller Machines started dispensing cash.
Our investigations revealed that all the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) belonging to the various banks are now dispensing cash on a daily basis.
Although most of the machines are not dispensing huge sums of money probably to close the door for those selling cash, people are no longer patronising the POS owners.
A POS operator in Maryland, Enugu, Ifeoma Obigeri said she was finding it difficult to make enough money to take care of her children since ATMs started dispensing cash.
“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.
Another POS operator at New Haven Enugu, Obinna Obikwu said they may soon be forced out of business if the low patronage continues.
“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.
