Business
Sallah: Customers Decry Poor Network, Insufficient Funds In ATMs
Bank customers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday decried poor network and insufficient funds in most Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
The Tide source reports that at the time of filing this report, many customers were seen stranded and on long queues at ATMs waiting to make different transactions.
Some of the banks visited were First Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Diamond Bank, Union Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Stanbic IBTC in Area 3 , Garki.
Other ATM spots visited were Fidelity and Stanbic IBTC in Shoprite, Jaiz Bank, GTB in Apo and Zenith Bank, Garki.
Some of the customers, seen making different transactions expressed displeasure at the situation while urging relevant authorities to do something about it.
At the GTB Area 3, a customer, Mrs Liz Gabriel, said she took a taxi with the last money she had only to pay off the cab man and realise there was no cash in the ATM.
Another customer at First Bank, Mr John Jika, said he had been to several ATMs and there was no cash before he came to First bank.
“I do not understand why the banks will keep treating customers like this.
“Everybody is aware that there is public holiday today and tomorrow, and it is only ideal for the management of banks to ensure their ATMs are very functional.
“It is very insensitive of them to make their customers go through so much stress just to take back their monies which they deposited in the banks at the time they need it.’’
Another customer, Miss Funke Kadir, said she was supposed to travel and her trip had been delayed for insufficient funds in most ATMs.
Kadir, who described the situation as pathetic, called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sanction banks that does not properly monitor their ATMs.
However, at Zenith bank, Garki, although, customers were seen on queue, the ATMs were dispensing cash appropriately.
Mr Julius Okoro said:”I have been to Eco bank and GTB but there was no network so I drove to this place.
“This is the first day of the holiday and we are already having a situation of no cash and poor network.
“I appeal to the people in charge to please do something about this situation because it is not fair for one to go through much stress to collect his hard earned money.’’
At Stanbic IBTC and Fidelity Bank ATMs in shoprite, Apo, it was observed that although there were long queues, the machines were dispensing cash.
Reports say that the Federal Government had declared Tuesday June 4, and Wednesday June 5 as public holidays in celebration of the Eid El Fitri, to mark the end of Ramadan.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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