Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Abia State Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development has sealed three branches of two new generation commercial banks in the state capital, Umuahia.
Notice for the action pasted at the gates to the banks read; “This property is in contravention of Section 8 and 2 of the Abia State of Nigeria Urban and Regional Planning Law 2005 and Law No 4 of 2005 as amended and hereby sealed.”
The notice warned that any persons who unsealed or attempted to unseal the building would be charged for contravening section 8 of ABS-URPB and PA Laws No 4 of 2015 as amended.
According to the unsigned notice, which had only contact phone numbers, if found guilty, the offender would be liable to imprisonment or fine or both, added in bold letters, “Be warned and Keep-off”
Speaking to our correspondent, a staff of one of the banks, which are along Library Avenue (Bank Road), who pleaded anonymity, expressed surprise over the “unfortunate development.”
The staff, who was dressed in a-two piece navy blue suit, said that the bank was not in default of the payment, adding that the manger had gone to sort the matter out with ministry.
A young woman in her late 30s, cuddling her two-year old son at one of the branches, Mrs. Angela Udochukwu decried the action, saying she had come to withdraw money for their feeding.
As at press time, repeated calls on the indicated lines, proved abortive.
