Operators of Point Of Sale (POS), have increased their transaction charges due to the scarcity of naira that has hit some states in the country.
It was gathered that majority of operators of POS, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and Ikeja, Lagos State capital have increased their transaction charges.
It was gathered that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of banks along the Ikeja Central Business District (CBD) such as the ever busy Oba Akran Avenue, Awolowo and Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos have no cash in them, thereby, making POS operators engaged in brisk business.
Banks such as First Bank, GT Bank, Unity, Wema bank FCMB all have no money in their ATMs while Access bank can only disburse N2,000 to customers as at the time of this report.
Also, some POS operators in major parts of Ibadan do not have cash to give to their customers at the moment.
Some of the areas visited included Iwo Road, Ajibode, Mokola, Sango, University of Ibadan and Agodi Secretariat.
Others are Awotan, Bodija, Akobo and Apete.
POS operators in these areas do not have enough cash to give to prospective customers.
Those who have cash have restricted the amount to be paid to customers.
Consequently, some of them have increased their transaction charges as a result of the shortage of cash.
The regular transaction charge of N100 per N5,000 withdrawal has been increased to N150 or N200, depending on the bargaining power of the customer.
Some of the POS operators confirmed that they have restricted customers to a maximum of N5,000.
A POS operator in Awotan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I can only give you N3,000 and you pay N100. If you want to collect N5,000, you will pay N150 or N200. There is no cash again.”
Another POS operator who spoke with our correspondent at the weekend also said: “I have increased my charges. You will pay N200 if you want to collect N5,000.”
