Point of Sale (POS) operators in many parts of the country are now demanding a 10% service charge per withdrawal as the naira scarcity bites harder ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The banking halls are currently shut for Christmas and many of the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are not dispensing cash.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its Christmas message yesterday asked government to “seek creative measures that will lift the present humongous suffering from our shoulders,” a day after the Trade Union Congress (TUC) warned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to put an immediate end to the naira scarcity or force it (union) to consider exploring “our usual options whenever the working people are pushed to the wall.”

An Investigation by our correspondents in parts of the country yesterday showed that even the POS operators appeared to be running short of cash to give those wishing to do business with them.

Many Nigerians who have cash are reluctant to spend it, preferring to conduct their business with the aid of ATM cards of through transfer.

Most of the banks at Alimosho, Akowonjo, Egbeda, Mushin, Ladipo, Isolo areas of Lagos were out of cash, leaving customers with the only option of patronising the POS.

Some bans have restricted daily cash withdrawals to between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 per customer, thus further exacerbating the cash crunch.

One of our correspondents who approached a PoS operator at Mushin, Lagos yesterday to withdraw N25000 was told he had to pay N2500 (10%).He was able to beat down the service charge to N200 after much begging.

A Lagos resident, Wale Taiwo, who sought for cash at a POS shop in Iyana-Ipaja, Alimosho, was made to part with 10 percent of every transaction.

“I was compelled to pay N500 for a N5, 000 transaction because the majority of the POS agents in my neighbourhood didn’t have cash, so the only one operating in the area made a killing by charging everyone exorbitantly,” he said.

He said it was even more exorbitant to send money to the hinterlands as the POS operators outside Lagos charge more.

Sharing the experience of a close ally who sent money to his folks in Auchi, Edo state, he said the fellow paid 10 percent on a N50,000 transaction on Wednesday.

Enugu, Awka and Asaba residents are experiencing a similar situation which has put their plans for the Christmas in disarray.

Many of the bank ATMs at Zik Avenue and Agbani Road in Enugu had no cash to dispense yesterday.

Following the development, traders are understood to have stopped taking money realized from trading to the banks for now.

Point of Sale (PoS) operators in Asaba metropolis have raised withdrawal charges. They now charge N200 for N5000 instead of the former N100.The POS operators are also having a swell time in Anambra State since the ATMs are unable to meet the demands of the people.

In Abuja, the ATMs dispense cash only during certain times of the day and within a short time the cash is usually exhausted by customers.

Despite the tough situation, many Nigerians continued with their shopping and travels for the festivities.

But the situation is different in Kaduna where the service charge remains unchanged, according to our correspondent.

The cash scarcity is also not pronounced in the state.

NLC to FG: Lift Nigerians out of suffering

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, in his Christmas message yesterday said the government should get creative and pull Nigerians out of the present hardship in the country.

“Despite the difficulties that many of us have faced and continue to endure, let us remember the essence of Christmas – a time of reflection, gratitude, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. His teachings emphasize love, compassion, and the enduring power of hope even in the face of adversity,” he said.

He added: “We must do everything to love ourselves as workers and as a people. It is only in dwelling in unity that we can build the needed strength to for a better nation.

“However, one of the best ways to demonstrate love is to have an understanding that we are one. We are workers and we are the masses. We are bound together by oppression, fear, deprivation, misery, poverty and helplessness.

“This perception will become so powerful that it molds and builds us into a powerful force that cannot be broken which can then be used to create liberty and free ourselves from the shackles of the forces of retrogression.

“We must therefore not allow ourselves to be divided along any lines at all be it ethnic, religious or communal lines. This season must teach us that we are one!

“That is why in the spirit of Christmas, let us come together as a nation, transcending our differences, to spread love and goodwill. It is in these moments of unity that we find the strength to overcome challenges and build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. “Nations are built when the people decide to stand together and work in unity and in love. It is difficult to build the kind of nation we want if we continue seeing ourselves as different in any way or form.

“This is what has allowed unpatriotic elements to hijack our levers of governance which they have continually used to negate the interests and desires of our people and our nation.

“This season must lead us to resolve to build a new nation by mending every crack that has allowed the enemies of the people to take undue advantage of us and hold down the nation perpetually in the morass of underdevelopment.

“As we gather with family and friends to celebrate, may the mind of Jesus Christ guide our thoughts and actions. Let His teachings inspire us to be kinder, more compassionate, and to extend a helping hand to those in need.

“Christmas is not only a time for festive joy but also an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and share them with others. We cannot love others if we do not love our nation. The love of the nation must be tied in loving others and ourselves. If we love our nation, we must then be led by those principles upon which great nations are built.

“To those who have faced hardships this year, we offer a message of hope. Remember that even in the darkest hours, there is a glimmer of light. Together, we can overcome challenges and build a more resilient and compassionate society. Let hope be the beacon that guides us into a brighter and more promising future.

“We urge those in Government to also allow the spirit of Christmas to lead them in all their policies and actions. Jesus served his followers selflessly and we hope that our leaders at all levels will emulate this and serve Nigerians selflessly.

“Instead of heaping heavy burden on the people, it is important that they seek creative measures that will lift the present humongous suffering from our shoulders. Instead of handouts, Nigerians expect concrete actions with solid results.

We’ll ensure standard working environment for workers – minister

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on an inspection visit to the headquarters of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Abuja said the Federal government was focused on standardising the nation’s work environment for improved safe and healthy workplaces, and higher productivity.

The project, which has reached 70 per cent, is expected to be delivered before the first quarter of next year.

The minister said the ministry would increase efforts in ensuring that factories and other workplaces comply with regulations and the minimum international best practices for the health and safety of the nation’s workforce.

Onyejeocha said in this new focus, the ministry would incorporate the labour unions to be part of their factory inspections team to ensure that all work environments at factories meet the required standard and comply with laws and regulations.

The minister said in compliance with regulations, factories must be registered, their licenses renewed, and their facilities and environments subjected to inspections for the protection of the employees and the public.

Onyejeocha stated that the ministry would also reposition its skills development function along identified skills needs for both literate and non-literate beneficiaries, aimed at making them active contributors to national productivity and wealth creation.

She said: “This is about helping Nigerians get out of poverty. Human being is part of infrastructure. Once you get it right on your work force; get it right on employment, then the nation is on the right path.”

Match your words with actions – Bishop Odetoyinbo tells Nigerian leaders

The Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Dr. Peter Odetoyinbo, told Nigerian leaders to make their words be in tandem with their actions, and end the present economic hardship in the country.

Odetoyinbo urged politicians and those in positions of power to make sacrifices, saying their affluent lifestyle in the face of the misery of the majority contradicted the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

“The executive must engage in policies and programmes that will better the lives of Nigerians, the legislature must pass bills that are pro-life and reflect proper representation of the will of Nigerians while the judiciary must be the last hope of the common man not only in judgement, but also in justice,” he said in his Christmas message.

He stressed that “we cannot allow a few people to hijack our commonwealth and continue to advance their cause while the rest of us resign to fate and hopelessness.”

Continuing, he said: “We are not Nigerians by accident, but by the will of God who created us wonderfully and beautifully with our colour, tribes and tongue. We cannot devalue ourselves and our nation and expect others to celebrate us.”

“We must be intentional about rebuilding and uplifting the glory of Nigeria by desisting from acts of terrorism, banditry, oil theft, arm robbery, kidnapping, electoral malpractices, maiming and killing one another; acts like these destroy our commonwealth and the integrity of our country both locally and internationally. We must enthrone the virtues of love, joy, peace, unity and humility before God. This is what Christmas must instill in us”.

“The season of Christmas affords us the opportunity to celebrate the love of God with one another as one family united in a common vision for our common good. This love must be shared with our brothers and sisters particularly those that find it difficult to celebrate due to the present economic hardship.”

Two die, five injured as SUV rams into truck in Ogun

However, preparations for Christmas turned tragic in Ogun State yesterday when a motor accident on the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode Road claimed two lives and left five others injured.

The accident occurred at about 3.35pm in Ijebu Ode when a Chevrolet jeep marked SRA584XB rammed into a packed truck.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Chief Route Commander and Public Education Officer for Sector Commander (FRSC) Ogun Sector Command, Florence Okpe FRSC who confirmed the accident on behalf of the Commander, Anthony Uga, said the suspected causes were excessive speed and road obstruction.

He said: “The jeep rammed into the station truck due to speed. The injured victims were rescued by a good Samaritan driver that was driving behind them and took them for medical attention while the corpses were deposited at the state General Hospital morgue Ijebu-ode by FRSC operatives.”

FG throws borders open for Nigerians with expired passports to return

In a bid to encourage more Nigerians in the diaspora to come home for the festivities, the Federal Government says those with expired passports will be allowed to enter the country unhindered.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Wura-Ola Adepoju in a 22^nd December 2023 letter by Foreign Affairs Minister , Yusuf Tuggar, asked that Nigerians “be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports”.

She said: “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria in her efforts to make life easy for Nigerians in the diaspora has approved that all Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.

“I am further directed to inform airlines coming to Nigeria to allow holders of Nigeria expired passports to board without let.

“In furtherance to the foregoing, all Nigeria Embassies and High Commissions are advised to give this directive the highest publicity it deserves.

“Consequent upon the above, all entry/exit points are by the copy of this letter directed to open a help desk for all Nigerians in this category and directed same to passport offices where their passports will be reissued within a maximum of two (2) weeks.”

ABC Transport joins FG’s 50% fare discount scheme

A transport firm, ABC Transport has joined the growing list of transport companies participating in the 50 percent discount for inter-state road travel, The Nation has learnt.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on his “X” handle, confirmed the update.

During the week, President Bola Tinubu approved a 50 percent discount for inter-state road travels, and 100 percent for train trips for Nigerians travelling to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Other participating transport companies include: God is Good Motors (GIGM), Chisco Transport, the Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor.

The transport firm on Its verified X handle – @ABCTransportPlc explained that travellers can walk into their terminals to book their travelling tickets and get the 50% discount.

It said: “In the spirit of Christmas and in line with the Federal Government’s Presidential Travel Relief Initiative, we are pleased to offer our awesome customers 50% off on their travels this season to designated routes.

“How can you access this? Here are the 3 ways:

“1. Book via the APP – Make your bookings as normally done, and then at the point of checkout, select the “Offer Coupon” and then Select the FG50 coupon. This will discount your fare, then proceed to pay 50% less.

“2. Book via our website – Make your bookings as normally done, and then after inputting your details, select “offers”, select “promotion coupons from the list and then type in “FG50”, and select use to activate 50% discount and proceed to pay 50% less.

“3. Walk into one of our ABC Transport terminals and book your ticket at 50% less”

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