The Federal Government has commenced deployment of security agencies to filling stations across the country to enforce the use of Point of Sale (PoS) machines and the acceptance of bank transfers at the various outlets.
It vowed to deal with oil marketers who reject PoS machines or bank transfers from customers, stressing that the move became vital following reports that some filling stations were culpable as regards this development, despite the severe cash crunch nationwide.
The government’s directive to marketers came through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in a statement issued in Abuja by the agency’s General Manager, Corporate Communications and Stakeholders Management, Kimchi Apollo.
The statement read in part, “It has come to the attention of the NMDPRA that some retail outlets are not accepting the use of Point of Sale machines at their filling stations due to the recent cash crunch brought about by the new naira design.
“The authority frowns at this recent behaviour 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.
“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 NMDPRA said it would work with law enforcement agencies to enforce the use of PoS machines and acceptance of cash transfers at retail outlets, stressing that oil marketers who flout the directive would be dealt with.
“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.
“We reassure the general public of our commitment to ensuring good quality service in the sale and distribution of petroleum products nationwide”, it stated.
The Tide reports that fuel scarcity has entered its third month since December  with no sign of getting abated. Long queues of both private and commercial vehicles are still very visible in filling stations across the country with some filling stations selling between N300 and NN500 per litre, while many other shut down to customers.
However, the National President, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Debo Ahmed, had announced last  Wednesday that efforts were being made to clear the queues across the country.
In a notice issued to IPMAN members, he stated that following a meeting held on February 7, 2023, between the National Executive Council of the association and the Managing Director of  NNPC Retail Limited, the national oil firm promised to set aside 140 million litres of PMS for independent marketers.