Bank customers in Nasarawa State have resorted to the use of Automated Teller  Machines (ATMs) for funds on Wednesday as banks also joined in the nationwide NLC  strike.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia showed that all the banks in  the state capital were closed as customers were seen queuing to withdraw money from  ATMs.

On shortage of funds in the ATM, a manager in one of the new generation banks, who  preferred anonymity, said the banks were supposed to always make funds available in  the ATM.

“Our customers should not have the fear of the ATM running out of cash as we have  stationed our men on ground to ensure that all the machines have sufficient funds,

“They are also to resolve any technical problem which may arise,” he said.


However, some residents expressed dismay over the situation, saying the limit to  daily withdrawals from the machine had affected their businesses.

Others, who were sceptical on the use of the ATM, given the attendant alleged fraud  related to it, were left without any option than to borrow money in order to  survive.

Umar Mohammed, a businessman, said he could not get money to shop for the  forthcoming Sallah celebration as banks have closed and did not have the ATM card.

Ahmed Sulaiman, a civil servant, said although the strike was quite inconveniencing,  it was worth it because any good thing comes with a price.

NAN reports that Lafia, the state capital, was almost grounded because of the strike  as all government offices and schools also closed.

NAN also reports that the media outfits equally affected by the strike like the  state-owned broadcast station and the FRCN Precious FM, both in Lafia, only opened  for about an hour on Wednesday.

The two stations were managed by their management staff, who read the news briefs.

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