FG to Filling Stations: “Accept PoS Payments, Bank Transfers or Face Sanctions”
- The Federal Government has ordered filling stations to begin accepting PoS payments and bank transfers
- A statement by the General Manager of NMDPRA, an agency of government, has threatened to sanction defaulters
- The agency said it would work with security agencies to inspect filling stations and bring erring stations to book
The Nigerian government has ordered filling station owners and operators across the country to begin accepting Point of Sale payments and bank transfers from customers or face sanctions for non-compliance.
The development comes as the Federal Government deploys security agencies to enforce the use of PoS machines and bank transfers for payment at all stations across Nigeria.
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FG pledges to sanction defaulting stations
The development was disclosed in a statement by the general manager of the Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), at Kimchi Apollo in Abuja, on Thursday, January 9, 2023.
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The statement directed all retail outlets to ensure the unrestricted use of PoS and bank transfers for the sale of petroleum products to ease the suffering of customers during the ongoing cash crisis period.
In the statement, the agency said the move became obligatory due to reports from Nigerians that some filling stations are rejecting Point of Sale machines and bank transfers as payment methods from customers despite the current cash crunch.
NMDPRA said:
“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 brought about by the new naira design.
“The authority frowns at this recent behaviour 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 transfer for the sale of petroleum products to alleviate the suffering of customers at this critical time.”
The agency also stated that it would work with security operatives to enforce the use of PoS machines and bank transfers as alternative payment for cash at filling stations, saying that oil marketers who ignore the directive will face its wrath.
NMDPRA said:
“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 assure the general public of our commitment to ensuring good quality service in the sale and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.”
The development comes as reports of filling stations rejecting bank transfers and the use of PoS machines at their various stations emerged.
Nigerians react as petrol attendants, state reasons
Nigerians have responded to the recent practice of filling station operators, saying that petrol stations rejecting PoS and bank transfers as means of payment is motivated by greed.
A respondent in an MRS filling station visited by Legit.ng said petrol attendants reject bank transfers and PoS machines because they will not make any extra income.
Taiwo Owolabi, one of the petrol attendants interviewed by Legit.ng, said the current practice of not accepting bank transfers and using PoS is an order from their management.
“Many bank transfers are not going through. Some people can also use bank transfers to scam attendants. Our Pos machines have developed a fault due to the volume of transactions,” the agent stated.
FG threatens 'Fire, Brimstone' over plans by fuel stations to sell above N165 pump price
Recall that Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian government has threatened to penalise any filling station or petrol depot found selling fuel above the approved pump price of N165 per litre.
The Cable reports that the resurgence of fuel queues in various cities across Nigeria, including Abuja and Lagos, has continued to be a challenge as marketers find it difficult to meet the demands of motorists.
However, oil marketers have earlier called for an increase in fuel pump prices to N180 per litre to enable them to meet the people's demands across states.
Source: Legit.ng
