By Cajetan Mmuta
Anger and confusion are the words in parts of Owerri, the Imo state capital following the dramatic closure of the premises of eight commercial banks on the alleged order of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The sudden development which threw most customers of the affected banks into confusion and despair, had further crippled business activities by operators of the banks.
ThisNigeria gathered that the governor took the action through officials of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) which took steps to seals the banks.
Reeling from a shocking development, staff of the banks and customers were seen stranded within and outside the premises of the banks n the early hours of yesterday.
All the sealed commercial banks are located within the Owerri municipality.
However, commercial banks mostly affected were the ones located along Bank Road on PortHracour road and those of them on Wetheral Road.
Further findings revealed that the state government took the action to punish the banks for obeying the Sit-At-Home as directed by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which held in all the five states in the Southeast geo-political zone of the country.
Coincidentally, the closure of the banks was less than 48 hours after the official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari on a working visit to Imo state.
Besides, it would be recalled that Governor Hope Uzodinma has been locked in months of running battle with IPOB members which has led to several clashes with security operatives, killing of many people, and burning of several houses.
It was further learned that the banks were sealed on Monday night but most of the bank staff who arrived at their offices early in the morning were shocked yesterday (Tuesday) to notice that they were locked out of the bank’s premises.
The workers were confronted with bold seals pasted on the entrance gates and walls of the banks by the OCDA officials.
A source close to the OCDA who preferred anonymity told ThisNigeria that the banks were sealed for lack of official approvals for the building premises, an action that raises serious curiosity as the banks have existed for many years without any form of harassment by government officials in the state.
Efforts to speak with the chairman of the OCDA, Mr. Innocent Ikpamezie, or any senior official of the agency yesterday had failed as all the workers kept sealed lips on the matter.
One of the staff who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned had directed this paper to the state Government House for any inquiries.
Cholera: Borno govt inaugurates committee on outbreak
It was also gathered that any bank that defaults by destroying the seal must be made to cough out N500, 000 fine and other stiff penalties to be slammed on it by the government.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Declan Emelumba, when contacted by ThisNigeria on phone, said, “The Chairman of OCDA is in a better position to answer the question” on the allegation that the governor took the action against the banks for complying with the IPOB sit-at-home directive.
