Abaji residents want more commercial banks
The residents of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Tuesday, lamented the insufficiency of commercial banks in the area.
Some residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the insufficiency of banks as worrisome and an obstacle to commercial activities in the area.
Mr. Timothy Sunday, a resident of Agyana area of the council, said First Bank was the only commercial bank in the area, describing this as an act of economic monopoly.
“People travel all the way from Rubochi, Nuku, Chikara, Dangara, Bukpe, Atako and other faraway places to Abaji area council just for bank transactions.
“We have First Bank as the only commercial bank in the whole of Abaji Area Council and that is not too good for business activities to grow in the area.
“Only First Bank has the monopoly on banking in Abaji; for long, we have clamoured for other banks to come in so that the stress can be reduced but nothing has been done,” Sundaysaid.
Mr. Emeka Eze, a businessman, who resides in Abaji Central area, described the situation as worrisome adding that the paucity of commercial banks was affecting business in the area.
Eze alleged that other commercial banks had tried to set up structures in Abaji but some stakeholders in the area made it difficult for them to do so.
“I prefer to travel to Gwagwalada for my banking transactions because of the stress being encountered when doing transactions with only one commercial bank.
“Other banks have tried to purchase land to erect structures but some stakeholders in the area have made it difficult for them,’’ Eze said.
Mrs. Sarah Luka, a foodstuff seller, who said that she saved her money in a micro finance bank, expressed fear that the bank might fold up any day.
“I am always afraid that the microfinance bank where I have an account can fold up any day, but I don’t have any options now.
“A commercial bank tried to build an office in the area some years ago but the project came to a halt and nothing has been done since then.
“We need more commercial banks in Abaji,” Luka said.
The residents called on relevant authorities to come to their aid by creating the enabling environment for other commercial banks to operate in the area.
