Some bank customers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgently address cash crunch issues to ensure swell celebrations during the yuletide.
Some of the customers, who are also small business owners, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the development would result in financial transaction difficulties, if not addressed.
Esther Eduk, a customer, said she visited no fewer than four different banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATM) points but could not access cash.
She said the development negated the yuletide season which was meant for sharing love and giving.
“I went to my bank to collect money but I was surprised that they did not have it.
“All the bank ATM points that I went to along Nyanya-Mararaba road had no cash in them.
“This is very discouraging and considering this season, it is not healthy,’’ she said.
Another customer and a Point of Sale (PoS) operator, Lucky Igado, said he was unable to withdraw money from his bank.
Mr Igado said the situation had halted his business which was his only source of income.
He appealed to the CBN to urgently resolve the issue.
“I went to the bank to withdraw some money for my business but I did not get it.
“I was even ready to pay extra just to keep my business going but I didn’t get it. This is frustrating.
“President Bola Tinubu was affected by this cash crunch issue during his election. He should please help us to make ends meet,’’ he said.
Another customer, Adaora Ejeh, also appealed to banks to make cash available to ease the stress faced by customers.
NAN reports that the CBN, in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Department, said there was no shortage of banknotes, saying there was enough for economic activities in the country.
CBN said the scarcity was caused by a large volume of cash withdrawals from its branches by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) across the country.
The bank also said that panic withdrawals by bank customers were partly responsible for the scarcity.
(NAN)
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