No fewer than four commercial banks have remained closed in Omoku town; the headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State despite assurances of improvement of security in the area.
DAILY POST gathered that only one of five commercial banks operating in Omoku are in business at the moment.
One of the banks was forced to close for business recently because its branch manager was kidnapped by gunmen.
This situation was confirmed by the Caretaker Chairman of ONELGA, Osi Olisah, who blamed the development on cult clashes that rocked the headquarter town in the past.
Speaking at a forum in ONELGA, CTC Chairman assured that security had been restored in the local government area.
He said members of the different cult groups have realized the negative implication of their actions.
“I was passing through Omoku road and I saw that only one bank that is working is over-crowded. People cannot withdraw their money. We all see the hardship our people are facing just to do a bank transaction. That is the result of crisis.
“There can be no development in any society where there is crisis. It is very unfortunate.
“We have more than one bank in this town but they have all left because our brothers are kidnapping bank officials.
“Just few weeks ago, the Branch Manager of Eco Bank was kidnapped and was later rescued but as we speak, Eco Bank has pulled out their staff from Omoku.
“The good thing is that we have gone to Lagos to meet with Executives of all the Banks that has left our town.
“Crisis does not pay. It destroys and if we don’t stop it we will continue to be at the losing end,” Olisah said.
Osi Olisah said security operatives have been given marching orders to fish out the remnants of cultists in ONELGA just as he called on youths of the area to remain committed to the peace pact.
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