…publishes state-by-state contact numbers
By our correspondent
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has informed commercial banks and the Nigerian public that it has taken steps to ensure availability of cash in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for Over-the-counter and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) disbursements to customers.
Consequently, the apex bank has directed all commercial banks in Nigeria to ensure that cash are made available for customers to withdraw either through the counter ATMs.
In a release jointly signed by Ag Director, Currency Operations; Solaja, Mohamed J. Olayemi and Ag Director, Branch Operations; Isa-Olatinwo, Aisha (Ph.D), the CBN published phone numbers to be contacted across the country, in any case of non-dispensing of cash as directed.
The Central Bank’s directive has become pertinent following widespread complaints by Nigerians to the effect that most bank officials are allegedly, owners of the Point Of Sale (POS) businesses operated in all corners across the country.
Our paper can authoritatively report that other operators of the POS businesses ‘buy’ the Naira from banks officials, which they in turn ‘sell’ to the public at exorbitant rates.
For instance, any Nigerian wishing to withdraw the sum of N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) would be charged a fee of N150 (One hundred and fifty Naira).
Speaking to our correspondent in reaction to the CBN’s directive, Mr. Raphael Jack in Uyo said: “I won’t jubilate until I hear that one bank official, or a commercial bank has been punished for it.
You can imagine that just this morning, I withdrew ten thousand Naira (N10,000) and I was charged three hundred Naira (N300).
This is too bad. In Nigeria today, if you have a need for ten thousand Naira and someone sends it to you, you would automatically lose about four hundred Naira in the course of getting the ten thousand Naira.
The bank would deduct transfer charge of one hundred Naira (N100).The bank would also deduct other charges like VAT, ATM maintenance, etc.
The POS operators would charge three hundred Naira for you to withdraw. At the end of it, the money sent to you cannot solve the problem it intended to solve. The worst is if the money sent to you was a loan.
You will still have to pay the interest in addition to the avoidable charges”.
While commending the Apex Bank for the directive, Raphael called on the CBN to ensure adequate implementation.
(See attached documents for details of the CBN directive and telephone number for your state)