An acute cash scarcity has hit Point of Sale (POS) centers in Bauchi State, leaving operators and customers stranded and frustrated in Bauchi metropolis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that POS vendors in the metropolis were struggling to provide services due to the unavailability of cash. Mr Ali Abubakar, who operates at the GRA Bauchi, expressed frustration over the ugly situation. “Customers come to withdraw cash but we can’t serve them.

“Banks do not give us more than N100,000, and there’s no cash in the banks. “So, we’re struggling to meet the demands of customers,” Abubakar said.

Another vendor at the Wunti Market, Abbati Saadu, said that he had resorted to sourcing cash from businessmen instead of banks. “Banks have never served me the way I want so I get cash from filling stations and traders in the market for my business.

“It’s more reliable but expensive. “We’re losing customers due to the scarcity. Something needs to be done urgently,” Saadu further said. A bank customer, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, attributed the scarcity to the current harvest season.

Mohammed alleged that large sums were withdrawn from banks to purchase and stockpile food items. “We’ve tried to get cash from banks, but they claim there’s none. It’s affecting our business,” she said.

“Maybe there is inadequate cash distribution also by commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” she said. Another customer, Mr Malika Andrew, said the scarcity had left residents and business owners frustrated.