Curfew: POS outlets make brisk business in Enugu

Some operators of Point-of-Sale Terminal (POS) in some parts of Enugu metropolis on Friday witnessed increased patronage amidst the 24-hour curfew imposed by Enugu State Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there was appreciable patronage of POS services by customers who cannot access their banks for cash transaction due to the curfew that began in Enugu metropolis on Wednesday.

A NAN correspondent, who went round to some of the POS service outlets observed an impressive turnout of customers queuing to be paid by the operators.

Some of the operators who spoke to NAN expressed their joy over the high patronage in their businesses.

Mr Linus Ozo, who operated a POS outlet in Achara Layout, told NAN that he had made an average income of N15,000 since the day the curfew was announced,

“The 24-hour curfew had provided the business with a booming opportunity since Wednesday evening.

“Due to the curfew imposed, banks have shot down and people are stranded because they have run out of cash, this is why many people are patronising us,” Ozo explained.

Another Operator, Mr Gozie Uzochukwu, who also operated POS service at Kenneth Road, said the business was highly lucrative now, adding that his outlet was situated in a populated density area.

Uzochukwu said that he had made an income of over N26,000 since Wednesday.

“For now I have not run out of cash but by Monday, if the curfew is not relaxed, there will be little or no cash to pay to customers because nobody comes to deposit,” he said

According to him, charges range from N200 to N1,000 per transaction depending on the amount a person wants to collect.

An operator behind Agbani Road, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had to acquire a POS machine to augment his recharge cards business.

According to him, he makes more income from the POS operation than the recharge cards business.

Mrs Martha Anusie, a resident of Amaechi, who patronised a POS outlet told NAN that the operators were rendering huge assistance to the public especially with unfortunate incident of the 24-hour curfew since Wednesday in Enugu.

Another resident, Mr Job Offor, said that POS outlets were last resort for survival especially when people could not go to banks for withdrawal or market to sell and make money.

Edited By: Abiodun Oluleye
Source: NAN