The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a directive for oil marketers in the country to allow the use of point of sale (POS) and bank transfer services for the sale of petroleum products.
This move is aimed at easing the difficulties faced by customers during the ongoing cash shortage in the country.
Kimchi Apollo, the agency’s General Manager of Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Management, signed a statement on Thursday announcing the NMDPRA’s decision.
The statement emphasized that the authority will take action against any filling station that refuses to accept digital payments.
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The statement reads: “It has come to the attention of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that some retail outlets are not accepting the use of point of sale (POS) machines at their filling stations due to the recent cash crunch brought about by the new naira design.
“The authority frowns at this recent behavior 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.”
NMDPRA went on to explain that this directive was necessary following reports of some filling stations refusing customers’ bank transfers and POS transactions, despite the ongoing cash shortage in the country.
The statement adds: “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 authority and security agencies will be at retail outlets to ensure compliance with this directive and any filling station found violating this directive will be duly sanctioned.”
The regulatory authority also reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring good quality service in the sale and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
