Some Point of Sale (POS) operators in Minna, Niger State, now buy the new naira notes from filling stations to remain in business.
One of the operators, Mohammed Isah, told Daily Trust that though it required connection with the owners of the filling stations, he was able to get N150,000 on Saturday and another N150,000 on Sunday to meet his customers’ demands.
He said, “I was charged maximally at a filling to be able to get these few notes that I am giving out to my customers. It isn’t easy, but we have no choice. So, for it to go round, the maximum amount I give to a customer is N5,000 and I charge N150 per N1,000.”
He noted that accessing both the old and the new notes from banks had been very stressful; with exorbitant charges, causing many POS operators to shut their businesses.
At some POS points, Daily Trust gathered that the charges for accessing even the old notes went for between N150 and N250 per N1,000.
Some residents said they had to pass the night at ATM galleries to access cash.