On Thursday, the Federal Government began sending security personnel to filling stations all over the country to make sure people use Point of Sale machines and accept bank transfers.
It promised to deal with oil marketers who refuse PoS machines or bank transfers from customers. It stressed that the move became crucial after reports that some filling stations were responsible for this development, despite the nationwide cash crunch.
However, the oil marketers informed our correspondent that the cash crunch had also affected their operations, preventing them from replenishing in some cases.
In a statement released in Abuja by Kimchi Apollo, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s General Manager, Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Management, the government issued its directive to marketers.
According to a portion of the statement, “The recent cash crunch brought about by the new naira design has brought to the attention of the NMDPRA that some retail outlets are not accepting the use of Point of Sale machines at their filling stations.”
“At a time when all hands ought to be on deck to assist the government in the transition to the new naira, this recent behavior that is causing untold hardship for Nigerians is frowned upon by the authority.
In order to alleviate the suffering of customers during this critical time, “all retail outlets are directed to ensure the free use of POS and bank transfer for the sale of petroleum products.”
The NMDPRA stated that it would collaborate with law enforcement agencies to enforce the use of point-of-sale (POS) machines and the acceptance of cash transfers at retail establishments. It also emphasized that oil marketers who disregard the directive would be dealt with.
“The authority and security agencies will be at retail establishments to ensure that this directive is followed, and any filling station found to be in violation of this directive will be penalized appropriately.
It stated, “We reassure the general public of our commitment to ensuring good quality service in the national sale and distribution of petroleum products.”
However, Mohammed Shuaibu, Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abuja-Suleja, informed our correspondent that marketers were also being affected by the cash crunch.
This scarcity of naira may also be a factor in the long lines at many filling stations. He stated, “The service to customers in retail outlets would be faster if there were enough naira, but people hardly get money to go to the market, let alone filling stations.”
He continued, “And it is important to state that the cash crunch is affecting both the oil marketer and our product customers.” You are unable to travel to complete certain transactions, there is no cash, and even Internet services are not working as expected. When you try to transfer money, you have trouble.
On Wednesday, IPMAN National President Debo Ahmed said that efforts were being made to get rid of the lines all over the country.
He stated in a notice to IPMAN members that the national oil company had promised to reserve 140 million liters of PMS for independent marketers following a meeting on February 7, 2023, between the National Executive Council of the association and the Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited.