Business News
Fidelity Bank customers went on Twitter rampage to demand better service
Many customers of Fidelity Bank Plc (@fidelitybankplc) dragged the bank to Twitter on Monday because of a whole lot of issues.
Nigerian customers usually tend to be patient and tolerant of their service providers, regardless of the unsatisfactory services often rendered to them. But they can snap occasionally, especially when they are pushed to the limit. The advent of social media platforms like Twitter has particularly made it easier for customers to call out companies. That is exactly what many customers of Fidelity Bank Plc did on Monday when they dragged the bank across Twitter because of a whole lot of issues.
The whole drama started after the bank posted a tweet advertising its Fidelity SME Forum radio show and asking people to tune in and listen. The matter quickly escalated because many of the bank’s customers were displeased.
By the way, even though many of the complaints seem reasonable, others are just downright savage and ludicrous. For instance, somebody wondered how the bank had network to even use Twitter and yet cannot use the same network to facilitate seamless transactions for customers.
https://twitter.com/Bigmeech010/status/1194193431167410176
Many of the complaints by Fidelity Bank customers centre around failed transactions. This is one thing virtually every Nigerian bank customer is familiar with. One frustrated customer, who was first to comment on the post and probably incited the torrent of backlash that followed, complained that a botched transaction had left her N30, 000 hanging. She needed the money for an urgent purpose, she explained.
https://twitter.com/lizaposh/status/1194155842762874881
Customers also complained about the difficulties they face using the bank’s products and outlets. According to Samuel Aniaka, he could not use the Fidelity mobile banking app because his transaction was declined. Interestingly, he received notification of a debit despite the decline. He also tried to use the bank’s ATM but was disappointed to realise he could not. He wondered what could possibly be wrong with the bank.
What's happening to you guys? I can't use the mobile App, I got debited yesterday even when transaction was declined. Two days ago I couldn't withdraw from an ATM. If there should be a system downtime, aren't you supposed to inform us ahead? Your service is becoming poor, tbh. 👎
— Sammy Sammy (@scad_official) November 13, 2019
[READ MORE: Banks refund N3.09 billion to customers over fraud, excess charges, others]
Poor customer service is also something customers complained about the most. Expectedly, quite a number of customers reach out to the bank on a daily basis with their complaints. Unfortunately, a significant number of these complaints are left unattended to. Customers are not happy about this.
@cenbank i used one of @fidelitybankplc always faulty ATM machine and was debitted but it did not dispense cash, This happened since on Sunday 10/11/2019 at 11:40am. I have been sending emails and no reply yet, I called their customer care numbers all not going through.
— Samuel J Ekwere (@crypto9ja1) November 13, 2019
Fidelity you guys are so annoying… Since Saturday evening you never credit me my funds back… God go disappoint una
— OG Pablo (@OGPablo14) November 12, 2019
Other customers have also complained that they are excessively charged by the bank. For someone like Oluwashogo, he just wants to know why the bank keeps charging him even when it is not necessary.
Why do you always charge me unnecessary fee 😠 even when I made no transaction coz this getting out of hand and us becoming too much… Is it a crime to using your bank coz I don't understand this😏
— Oluwashogo (@oluwashemilogo4) November 13, 2019
There are many of such complaints on the thread, and Fidelity Bank has tried to respond to some of them with apologies and promises to quickly resolve the issues.
Hello @Bhummie, thank you for contacting Fidelity Bank. We empathize with you on the issue raised, Please be assured that we are working round the clock to ensure seamless access to our e-channels. Kindly bear with us. #FidelityCares.
— Fidelity Bank (@fidelitybankplc) November 13, 2019
Real Estate
FG to unveil dedicated portal for sale of houses to Nigerians
The Federal Government has announced plans to launch a dedicated web portal for the sale of buildings to Nigerians in the next few weeks.
The Federal Government has announced plans to launch a dedicated web portal for the sale of buildings to Nigerians in the next few weeks.
The platform is expected to help contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) access mortgage loans on a first-come, first-serve basis.
This disclosure was made by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola while speaking at the ninth meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Jos, Plateau State.
Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, pointed out that the ministry is currently at the completion stages of the first phase of the national housing programme in 34 states of the federation, which provided land for it.
He said, “We urge the state governments to alert their residents to this opportunity for interested persons to apply.”
Fashola commended the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for being at the forefront of the cooperative housing initiative at the federal level, adding that it has the advantage of allowing cooperative members to choose what they design and build to fit their budgets.
They can leverage their members to get group discount for the purchase of building materials as well as the engagement of contractors.
Fashola disclosed that FMBN as the driver of the housing initiative has engaged 86 co-operatives in projects; approved N35, 784 billion cumulatively; disbursed N10.95 billion; and processed as at January, 57 co-operative housing development loans.
Fashola emphasized that what the Federal Government can do directly in housing is limited compared to what states can do, just as state governments are also limited, compared to what the private sector and individuals can do.
He said, “The majority of houses available for sale or rent belong to individuals and private companies compared to what states or Federal Government has available. Therefore, many of the tenants who owe rent, who face eviction or who seek to rent or buy property are dealing with private citizens or companies and less so with government agencies.’’
My recommendation for improving access and affordability to housing in the Covid-19 era is for private companies and individuals to give back some of what they control to citizens in the way the Federal Government has given back to citizens some of what it controls.’’
He explained, “for example in cases where the rent of businesses or individuals are due for renewal, the private landlords can give back, by accepting monthly, quarterly or half-yearly rent instead of one year, two or three years rent in advance.”
Bottom line
Nigeria has been bedevilled by a housing crisis that has left Africa’s most populous nation ill-equipped to properly provide accommodation for its citizens and inhabitants.
Some of the housing problems in the country include unresolved rent tenure arrangements, high cost of building materials, access to infrastructure, deficiency of housing finance arrangements, stringent loan conditions from mortgage banks, time to process legal documents and inadequate government housing policies.
Coronavirus
Covid-19: Nigeria committed to procuring 29 million J&J vaccines
The Nigerian Government is still committed to acquiring 29.59 million doses of Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccines through the Afrixem Bank AVAT initiative.
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