By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja – Commercial Banks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday witnessed heavy influx of customers at many Automated Teller Machines (ATM) centres.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most of ATMs were, however, loaded with cash to contain the situation.
Some of the banks visited included Guarantee Trust Bank(GTB) Apo, Zenith Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, United Bank for Africa and GTB in Area 3, Garki.
Miss Catherine Agatha, a customer at the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Area 3, said she was not surprised to see the queue at the bank.
Agatha a civil servant, said she received her December salary alert late last night and decided to get some money to shop for the Christmas celebrations.
Mr Chris Nzeh, a customer at Diamond bank Garki, said he came to do some transfers to family members only to meet a long queue.
“People are complaining that the economy is bad and there is no money, yet the ATMs are crowded.
“Although I am happy that all the machines are dispensing cash and I pray the management of the bank would ensure this during the holidays.
At the Zenith Bank in Area 3, a customer, Mrs Gladys Apo, told NAN that she just wanted to get some money from her salary.
Although the queue is much, people are able to withdraw money.
“Everywhere seems dry as if nothing is happening. I do not even think if many people will be traveling out of Abuja during this festivity.
“Everyone is just trying to manage and some of us who are wise are trying to save for next year.
“I only pray for a miracle for us in this country as people are really suffering and can barely feed, let alone do extravagant spending for Christmas.
An official at the First Bank of Nigeria who preferred anonymity, assured of the bank’s plan to ensure availability of funds at the various branches during the festivity.
The official said that the queues were only due to recent payment of salaries, adding that the bank had ensured that all the ATMs were loaded with cash. (NAN)
