BVN: Customers besieged banks to beat deadline

Officials of different commercial banks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital last week have hectic days as several customers across the metropolis trooped to banks to enrol for their Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The development, it was gathered was as a result of the customers last minute efforts to beat June deadline set for the registration by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The policy was designed by the Apex bank in furtherance of its efforts to have a safe, reliable and efficient payment in the country. Findings by Pilot Business revealed that banking Halls were filled to the brim by customers, especially during last two days of the week for fear of being unable to access accounts again. It is however gathered that several customers might not meet up with the deadline as majority were unable to register as at the time the banks were closing last Friday. Meanwhile, customers were seen expressing their frustration while on the queue complaining about the carefree attitude of bank officials and the unbearable stress they were subjected to. Speaking with Pilot Business, a customer at the First Bank, Unity Branch, a customer, Mr Dele Sanni expressed frustration at the bank officials, saying that it is his second time of coming to the bank but was still unable to register. Another customer at Diamond Bank, Taiwo Branch, Miss Tinuke Williams said she arrived at the bank very early to secure vantage position for the BVN enrollment queue at the expense of missing out in her normal daily activities, yet she could not register. The situation was the same at the Union Bank, Saw mill area as it witnessed unusual turnout of crowd. At a point, when the crowd was becoming uncontrollable, the bank has to announced that the registration will continue on Saturday from 10am-3pm. Reacting to the development, a bank official at the First Bank who craved anonymity blamed customers for waiting till last minute before coming to register for the BVN. He however noted that as challenging as it is for them to manage the crowd, it is part of their responsibilities to ensure their customers are satisfied. He also called on the Apex bank to extend the enrollment exercise in order to allow more customers to register.