The Nigerian government has ordered filling station owners and operators across the country to accept POS machines and bank transfers from customers or face sanctions.
The nation had recently been embroiled in turmoil due to the scarcity ignited by the currency redesigning policy.
The development comes as the Federal Government of Nigeria has deployed security agencies across the country to enforce the use of PoS machines and bank transfers at their stations.
Kimchi Apollo, General Manager, Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), announced the development in an Abuja statement on January 9, 2023.
To alleviate customer suffering during the cash crisis, the statement directed all retail outlets to ensure the unrestricted use of PoS and bank transfers for the sale of petroleum products.
According to the agency, the move became necessary after reports surfaced of some filling stations nationwide rejecting Point of Sale machines and bank transfers from customers despite the current cash crunch.
“It has come to the attention of the NMDPRA that some retail outlets are not accepting the use of Point of Sale machines at their filling stations due to the recent cash crunch caused by the new naira,” the NMDPRA stated.
“The authority frowns at this recent behavior, which is causing untold hardship for Nigerians at a time when all hands should be on deck to assist the government in the transition to the new naira.”
“All retail outlets are directed to ensure the free use of POS and bank transfers for the sale of petroleum products to alleviate the suffering of customers at this critical time.”
The agency stated that it would work with security operatives to enforce the use of PoS machines and bank transfers at filling stations, saying that oil marketers who ignore the directive will face its wrath.
NMDPRA said: It stated, “The authority and security agencies will be at retail outlets to ensure compliance with this directive, and any filling station violating this directive will be duly sanctioned.
“We reassure the general public of our commitment to ensuring good quality service in the sale and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.”
