Cash withdrawal limits will send us out of business – POS Terminal operators

The new directive on cash withdrawal by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday is generating heated comments and reactions from Nigerians, especially point of sale (PoS) terminal operators who largely depend on cash to run their business.

FIJ interviewed some operators at Agric and Isawo bus-stops in Ikorodu on Wednesday and they spoke on how the policy would impact their means of livelihood.

A tricycle operator who identified as Kamoli Abayomi explained that the policy would not sit down well with the unbanked and uneducated population, citing an instance of a tricycle dealer in Agric, who doesn’t operate a bank account because he lacks confidence in the banks.

“I heard about the regulations yesterday in a news report. I am concerned about uneducated people and those who do not patronise banks,” Abayomi told FIJ.

“A couple of weeks ago, one old man selling tricycle here (Agric) sold a tricycle for ₦650,000 and he had to acquire the bank information of one of his fellow tenants at their complex to receive the payment.

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“Ordinarily, he prefers customers to pay in cash. If the money is huge, he would quickly take it home for safe-keeping. For people like this, how would they fare under this new banking rules?”

Tobi Martins has a PoS stand at the entrance of RSA Street, close to Isawo. He told FIJ the policy would not favour his business.

“I read the news yesterday on social media and became affected. I thought of how this would reduce my business patronage and even inconvenient some customers who come here to withdraw large sums,” he said.

“However, I think they have their reasons and we too will find a way to accommodate the new reality.”

IT COULD KILL OUR BUSINESS

Agbaje Mary, an indigene of Osun State, said she was not aware of the development.

“I didn’t know anything about this policy until you told me. It is not going to affect my business positively. I’m an admission seeker and I started this business to make myself productive while hoping to go get an admission,” she explained.

“What this means to me is that I may end up closing this business by the time my customer base diminishes as a result of this policy. I remember I started with ₦10,000 a year ago and the capital has multiplied now. In a day, I could trade with ₦200,000 and even more.

“But now, if I cannot withdraw more than ₦50,000 for my business over the counter in a day, the implication is that my business could die gradually.”

When this reporter approached Ajibola Janet for comments, she said she was not aware of such regulations. After reading out the letter to her, she also expressed her worry over the development, saying “it will definitely tell on our business”.

“Such policy is unfair. Our business is cash-dependent and limiting how much people withdraw daily and how much we also can withdraw to use for business, will bring severe impacts on our operations,” he said.

“At any rate, this is not my only line of business. I will rather concentrate my attention on other lines for my survival and follow the trend.”

As this reporter approached Adebisi Adejumoh and Mosun Akanji, what came to their minds was that he wanted to withdraw money. Upon initiating a conversation with them, they realised his purpose was entirely different.

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Adejumoh said, “This policy is too harsh. People withdraw various amounts from me daily. Sometimes, some people come here to withdraw ₦100,000 at once.”

“The higher the amount an individual withdraws at a go, the higher my own charges. So, if it now becomes impossible for one person to withdraw above ₦20,000 in a day, I am confused, as we would be making adequate profits and receive my pay at the end of the month from my employer.”

On her own part, Akanji dismissed the policy as untrue. She said it was doubtful the apex bank would release such regulations when POS business had kept many productive.

“I don’t want to believe what you are saying is true. Why will they (CBN) pronounce a policy like that? It does not have human face. Looking at the number of people in this business, there may be a problem if the policy becomes effective and people can no longer make ends meet,” Akanji explained to FIJ.

At another shop on a one-storey building situated at Isawo junction, a man who identified as Emmanuel Houston, told FIJ that the policy would affect everybody to different extents.

According to Houston, POS machines have created jobs for thousands of Nigerians and ensured relative peace in some communities.

“In Isawo alone,” Houston said, “unless there is an official register of POS terminals here, you might not be able to count the number of people doing the business.

“Some people don’t take it as their full line of business while some do not have any other business. I believe the regulations have the potential to bite everybody regardless.”

With the new CBN regulations, ATMs will only dispense ₦200 notes and below.

The revised cash withdrawal limits contained in a letter with reference number BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/015/069 becomes effective on January 9, 2023.