The Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has directed the state-owned bank, Yobe Microfinance Bank to open branches in all the 17 local government areas of the state.
The governor gave the directive on Saturday as part of measures to provide banking services to the people in the local government areas.
He said the lack of banks in most parts of the state had 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 solution that would rescue our people” Mr Buni said.
He expressed the commitment of his administration to support the growth of the Microfinance Bank.
Mr Buni 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.
He commended the bank management for the good performance in the last few years saying, there is room for more improvement.
Mr Buni also called on the business community, civil servants and everyone in the localities to patronise the bank and support it to stand the test of time for efficiency.
