As complete access to e-transactions continue to dwindle, entrepreneurs in Port Harcourt have been divided on the workability of the process in promoting the interest of their businesses.
Some of the entrepreneurs who bared their minds in a chat with The Tide in Port Harcourt said network problems  have been a setback to e-transactions.
They noted that e-transactions would have been judged the best, but for the disturbing network issues and internet fraud experienced by entrepreneurs and the citizens of the country
A Point of Sale (POS) operator, Mrs. Goodluck Uchemadu, said, “l love e-transactions. It is expected to be the best if not for network problems.
“We cannot write off e-transactions  completely because it has saved business men and women the embarrassment of armed robbers who constantly rob travellers.
“Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has not done much in tackling the frustrating situations we experienced on daily basis while doing POS business.
“A good example is the new notes. December is almost by the corner and up till now, the new notes are still very scarce, waiting for deadline.
“I thought by now all the banks’ Automated Teller Mechines (ATM) would load and give out only the new notes. But see what is happening. They are waiting for December 31 to frustrate our businesses and entire citizens again”.
Another entrepreneur, Mrs. Chinyere Dennis, who deals on chemicals, said e-transactions remain the best for individuals and businesses but,  “government needs to work  on the availability of network and how to control internet fraud, which is getting out of hand.
“The problem we have in this country is not doing things properly and not having the interest of the masses at heart. Other countries would go extra mile to make sure things are done in such a way that would not affect their citizens”.
In his contribution, Mr. Jude Uchenna said there is nothing good about e-transactions: “when your money will leave your account and will not get to the destination account. Now tell me, where is the money?
“In some cases, you keep parading the bank till you get tired and decide to forget it, losing your hard-earned money to e-transactions.
“In this country, the leaders only do the things that will favour them. They do not have the interest of the masses at heart. My shoes business would have gone to the next level if not for internet fraud that emptied my business account”.
He stressed the need for Nigerian government to learn from other countries that ensure policies, actions and execution of decisions are done in the best interest of their citizens.

By: Lilian Peters