Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has directed security agents to arrest and prosecute POS operators collecting excessive charges in the state.
Umahi warned operators of POS in the state to desist from collecting excessive charges from people or be ready to contend with the security agencies and government of Ebonyi State.
He lamented that the excessive charges being collected by POS operators had badly added to the pains currently being experienced by Nigerians over the naira swap policy.
He spoke during a broadcast to the people on the issues of peace and security in the state, on Friday.
Umahi said: “Point of Sale Agents (POS), and operators are hereby warned to desist from excessive charges which is inflicting more pain on the citizenry. I have also directed security agents to arrest and prosecute anyone collecting above the normal charges.”
On the foiled protest and attempted violent disruption of the peace of Ebonyi State, especially at the Central Bank premises and at other commercial banks by some angry residents of the state, he thanked security agencies for preempting the situation.
Speaking on the crisis rocking the naira swap policy, Umahi said he was confident that President Muhammadu Buhari, the Supreme Court and the state governors would definitely find an amicable settlement to resolve the problems arising from the naira swap policy.
Umahi said: “I am very confident that the present hardship will not continue as Mr. President and the Supreme Court will definitely find an amicable settlement and indeed the governors to resolve these problems so that our people will have to smile again.
“I must continue to commend Mr. President for his good heart and for good intentions for the people of Nigeria.”
He added: “Let me thank the security agencies who preempted what would have been protest and violent disruption of the peace of Ebonyi State, especially at the Central Bank premises and at other commercial banks.
“My dear brothers and sisters of Ebonyi State, I am aware of the policy of the new naira redesign and I am aware of the challenges such decisions are posing, especially to Ebonyi State where we have over 80 percent of bankable small business owners.”