The Federal Capital Territory Administration has issued a directive to Point of Sale (PoS) terminal operators, mandating that they limit their operations to designated commercial areas. During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Umar Shuaibu, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, emphasized that the administration would not permit PoS operators to unlawfully occupy sensitive areas that are not intended for commercial use. He noted that the indiscriminate activities of these operators had become a security threat and would no longer be tolerated.
Shuaibu elaborated on the Abuja Master Plan, which is designed around a neighborhood concept aimed at bringing essential services closer to the community. He stated, “We have neighborhood centers and city centers; all of these centers have commercial areas, so whatever someone needs within the neighborhood is available. There is no need to take over the street; that is how the master plan was designed.” He highlighted that financial services are intended to be accessible to the public in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy, which is why PoS operators are present. However, he stressed the need for order and compliance with the established framework.
The coordinator pointed out that many PoS operators are not adhering to the designated areas outlined in the master plan. He identified commercial centers, plazas, markets, supermarkets, and filling stations as appropriate locations for their operations. Shuaibu urged PoS operators to collaborate with property owners in these areas to ensure their services are provided in accordance with international best practices. He declared, “Henceforth, all PoS operators must relocate to commercial areas and liaise with the premises’ owners, where their services are needed. This will help checkmate insecurity.” He also mentioned that the Minister of the FCT has instructed them to ensure that all illegal PoS operators move to suitable locations.
In a related statement, Mr. Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, expressed the administration’s support for PoS activities and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy. However, he reiterated concerns regarding security, underscoring the need for compliance with the new directives.
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