Business
Ensure Success Of Cashless Policy, Experts Urge CBN
Some financial experts in Lagos want the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide an enabling environment to ensure the success of its cashless policy.
It would be recalled that the policy, which is aimed at reducing the high volume of cash carried about by individuals and firms, took off on Jan. 1.
Mr Titus Okunrounmu, one of the experts who spoke on Thursday, in Lagos, said that Nigeria’s economy was ripe for the policy.
However, Okunrounmu, a former director of the CBN, said that it was necessary for the apex bank to provide the infrastructure and enlighten Nigerians on the advantages of the policy.
He observed that the low literacy level among the citizens could deter the success of the policy.
Okunrounmu added that the CBN should educate illiterates on how to use Point of Sale (PoS) machines to accommodate a large percentage of the informal sector.
“The ability to provide more enlightenment on how the PoS terminals work will aid the success of the policy,” he said.
Okunrounmu noted that the lack of communication facilities in the rural areas could also make business transactions difficult with the cashless policy.
Mr Wole Olowo, the General Manager of True Bond Microfinance Bank, said that one of the challenges facing the policy was the inadequate supply of PoS machines.
“The absence of POS terminals at most sales outlets has made transactions slow rather than faster,” he said.
Olowo urged the CBN to address the challenges facing Automated Teller Machines and provide more of them to facilitate business transactions within the system.
He further said that the CBN should undertake more campaigns to educate Nigerians on how to operate the PoS terminals, noting that awareness of the cashless policy was low.
Mr Ayodeji Fagbenle, the General Manager of Cash Craft Assets Management Ltd., said that the policy was good because of its advantages.
According to hiim, the policy will entail handling of less cash and reduce fraud to the barest minimum.
He said that the CBN could carry the people along by educating them on the benefits of the policy.