The Yobe State governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has directed the state-owned bank, Yobe Microfinance Bank to open its branches in all the 17 local government areas of the state.
Buni in a statement issued by his director general, Press Affairs and Media, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, said the governor’s directive was part of measures to provide banking services to the people in the local government areas.
The governor said lack of banks in most parts of the state has become a problem of grave concern.
“The new cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria came with lots of challenges to our people in most parts of the state due to lack of banks.
“Most local government areas do not have financial institutions and have to travel far distances with heavy risks to conduct financial transactions. “The situation is further compounded with the new cashless policy and despite our plea to the commercial banks to open branches, there have been no responses.
“As a government, we have looked inward to seek for a solution that would rescue our people,” Governor Buni said.
He expressed the commitment of his administration to support the growth of the Micro Finance bank.
The governor charged the management of the Bank to prepare for the challenges that would come with the new branches “you will have our full support,” he assured.
