Still committed to delivering on the people’s mandate, the Deputy Governor-Elect for Akwa Ibom State and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Dame Dr. Akon Eyakenyi has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure the immediate reopening of commercial banks in Oro for banking services.
In a motion on the floor of the Senate at plenary on Wednesday, the elegant parliamentarian implored the CBN to liaise with commercial banks in Oro to ensure their branches are reopened for operations in the area.
It would be recalled that due to frustration occasioned by the naira redesign policy of the federal government and associated cash shortage, angry customers in Oro became violent and attacked three commercial banks, First Bank, UBA, and Access Bank.
Consequent to the destruction of the banks’ properties, operations were shut down and residents of Oro Nation (Mbo, Okobo, Oron, Udung Uko, and Urue-Offong/Oruko LGAs) were left without access to banking services.
In the motion titled “Urgent Need for The Central Bank of Nigeria to Liaise with Commercial Banks to Resume Operation in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State”, Senator Eyakenyi noted that “across the federation, there were incidents where bank customers, out of anger sacked bank staff, in some cases attacked bank staff because of non-availability of money for the staff to dispense”.
According to her; “one of the places that the scenario occurred was in Oron, Akwa Ibom State where bank customers converged at various bank premises for several days without money to pay them, and agitated customers protested and caused commotion in banking halls.”
However, the federal lawmaker expressed concern “about the heavy hardship orchestrated by the continuous shut down of banks in Oron despite assurances by the Nigeria Police that they have taken punitive measures and absolute control to avert similar occurrence”.
She, therefore, prayed the Senate to; “implore the Central Bank of Nigeria to liaise with the commercial banks that operate branches in Oron, namely; First Bank, UBA, and Access Bank to resume full operations in Oron Local Government Area”.
The motion which was well received by the Nigerian Senate was accordingly referred to Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Instructions.
It is heartwarming to note that Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi who has about two months in the Senate is still working very hard to bring succour to her constituents and enhance their welfare and well-being. In the past few weeks, scores of her constituents, mostly women have been trained in various vocations and empowered with startup packs and seed money, many have received appointment letters from federal establishments while others are in line for theirs. This is in keeping with her promise to work for her people till the last minute of her tenure as their representative.
(c) AEMT