COVID-19: We now spend hours to make transactions, bank customers lament

Weeks after the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, approved the reopening of financial institutions across the country, many commercial bank customers in Lagos State still find it difficult to access the services.

Findings by The Guardian showed that many of banks’ branches were still shut to customers, forcing them to besiege the operating branches as early as 6am in a bid to conclude their transactions early, sometimes without success.

During a visit to a few of the operating branches of the affected banks in Isolo, Ikotun, Idimu, Igando, Ikorodu and Mushin areas of the state, customers were seen at the gates struggling to gain access into the premises, where they would be offered seats under a canopy to wait for their turns to be admitted into the banking hall.

In the process, social distancing rule aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 is disregarded. Many customers lamented the effect on their businesses, which that said suffer while they spend hours to be attended.