The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged the management of the Bank of Industry to approve loans based on who meets the criteria and not on recommendations from top government functionaries.
He assured the management that he would not put unnecessary pressure on the managing director and his team in the state.
Eno stated this in Uyo, the state capital while inaugurating the new BOI Office complex in the state on Tuesday, adding that he would not recommend anyone for loan disbursement.
The governor said, “Let me assure you, the MD and your management team that I will not bring pressure to your office, and please do not take recommendations from people from any quarter that do not meet your criteria, because the money that I am going to give today is Akwa Ibom investment.
“You know that the grant we are giving you, you will refund our money, so please, I am telling you upfront, don’t give loan to anybody that does not meet your criteria. That is the truth I want to say and I am saying it upfront. I will not recommend anyone to you and don’t listen to anyone.
“In the state today, I am the governor, so if I tell you that I will not put pressure on you, no one should put pressure on you. Make sure you assess the people who meet your needs, but spread them across the 31 local governments of the state.”
The governor expressed delight over the advent of BOI in the state, adding that the establishment of the bank is a bold move towards realising the lofty goals of the second and fourth aspirations of the ARISE Agenda, which include job creation, economic prosperity and promotion of the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship, as well as sustainable economic growth among Akwa Ibom people.
