Bisola David
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has insisted on cash payment for its transactions despite the deployment of cashless payment systems across many regions of the nation, particularly for fares along its Lagos-Ibadan route.
The Punch reported that officials of the NRC were seen not using the Point of Sale service or accepting bank transfers, while other businesses were experimenting with online banking and Point of Sale.
The Mobolaji Johnson Station in Lagos was also found that ticket agents only accepted brand-new naira notes, as well as the Babatunde Fashola Station whose the ticketing staff only accepted brand-new notes.
One of the employees claimed that because it is against company policy, management forbids both the deployment of PoS equipment and bank transfers.
A passenger identified as Mr. Ahmed Ogunsanya claimed that in order to board the train, he had to pay with a combination of N100 notes that he had on hand because ticket inspectors would not accept the old notes.
“I put some N100 notes on top of the little new ones I had with me to pay. The ticket collector wouldn’t take my old notes. I’m not even sure if “danfo” will come get it from me at this point.”
The NRC’s district manager for Lagos, Augustine Arisa, commented on the situation by claiming that there was no money to be found and that “everyone is facing the problem.”
He acknowledged that the NRC was just collecting only new notes.
“We are not using PoS,” he declared. Till we have permission to use e-tickets, cash is required. This implies that anyone without the new notes won’t be permitted to use the facility.
A different traveler remarked, “The corporation’s management’s choice to introduce a collection of tickets with new naira notes is impromptu, ill-timed, and embarrassing.”
