Cash scarcity, which was experienced about 10 months ago across the country, has resurfaced in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as some banks pay only N5, 000 across the counter to customers.
 
The Guardian gathered that almost all Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were not dispensing cash. Only a few dispensed only N5, 000 or N10, 000.  Further findings show that only two banks in Calabar metropolis were paying up to N6, 000 to their customers.
  
Most Point of Sale (POS) agents had started charging between N200 and N300 for withdrawals of N5, 000, and between N500 and N600 for withdrawals of N10, 000. Some of the agents who spoke with The Guardian in Calabar lamented that they spent up to N3, 000 for transportation looking for banks and ATMs that were paying cash.
    
They said the increase in price of charges is to cover for the expenses incurred, while sourcing for cash at different banks and ATMs. They further complained that most of the banks stopped loading cash in their ATMs, noting that, as agents, they can only get limited cash from the banks they have accounts with.

A POS agent along the busy Effio-Ette Junction, simply known as Chris, said: “ What do you expect us to do, when you can’t even get up to N200, 000 from four banks in a day. You spend a lot on transportation going round town looking for banks, which are paying.”  

ALSO, Ibadan residents, in Oyo State, are currently facing challenges due to the sudden disappearance of naira notes in the ancient city.   It was gathered that the city has been experiencing a shortage of naira notes in recent days, with the situation worsening at the weekend.
  
During visits to various parts of Ibadan, on Sunday and yesterday, The Guardian observed widespread discontent among residents. A significant number of ATMs in the city were not dispensing cash, leading to frustration among the populace.
   
It was further observed that only a few ATMs are dispensing a maximum of N5,000, and some have restricted payments to account holders of the respective