Bayelsa residents groan as banks shut out customers over protest as Govt halts 3rd anniversary ceremonies
Residents in Bayelsa on Monday said the closure of all commercial banks operating in the state has heightened the hardship they were facing over current cash scarcity across the country following the cashless policy and redesign of the naira note.
Checks by our correspondent on Yenagoa showed that all the commercial banks on Melford Okilo Rd, Yenagoa locked up their premises and turned back customers and left their Automated Teller Machines without cash.
The development compelled Point of Sale (PoS) terminal operators who hitherto charged higher fees to customers who needed cash to shut down.
At the major commercial bank branches visited, security men were seen turning back bank customers who had issues to resolve in the banking halls and told them that they were instructed to close shop.
“We are instructed to allow only bank staff in and the bank is not open, you know we work under instruction and we are also affected by this cash crisis so we are not happy locking people out.
“It is a precautionary measure to safeguard the banks because there is information that people want to protest, and if you go around town no bank is open.
“They are monitoring the intelligence report and may review the directive if there is change, but for now we cannot allow anyone,” A security guard who decline to disclose his name said.
Scores of customers at another commercial bank branch noted that they had been denied access to the banking halls to eith lodge complains of dispense errors or to replace lost or expired debit cards.
Joan Ebi said that all she wanted to do was to lodge a formal complaint following and unsuccessful transaction that debited her bank account to the tune of N42,000.
Another customer Jane Zuogha said that her debit card had expired and she wanted a replacement.
Meanwhile the Police in Bayelsa had cautioned the people against protests and reinforced security at all bank branches.
SP Asinim Butswat, Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa had in a statement issued on Sunday in Yenagoa said the Police had reinforced security in banks to forestall breach of security.
Meanwhile the Bayelsa government has announced suspension of ongoing celebration of its 3rd anniversary celebrations, but declined to give reasons.
The decision was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Mr Ayibaina Duba , Commissioner
for Information, Orientation and Strategy
“Bayelsa State Government hereby suspends all activities commemorating the three-year anniversary of the prosperity administration. The anniversary activities will now take place after the Presidential Election.
We regret any inconveniences this suspension might have caused,” he stated.