Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining an investment-friendly environment, as the State continues to position itself as a preferred destination for businesses and investors.
Governor Eno stated this at the official opening of a branch of Signature Bank in Uyo.
The Governor said the growing presence of businesses in the State reflected increasing investor confidence, attributing the development to Akwa Ibom’s world-class road network, peaceful environment, hardworking population and deliberate efforts to position the State as a tourism and investment hub.
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He said the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises remained a critical component of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, while its ease-of-doing-business policy was designed to attract investments and create the conditions for businesses to thrive.
“We will continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The peace that we enjoy, and the serenity of our State are all enablers of investment”.
Very soon, we are going to launch the AkwaGIS, which makes it easy for organisations to have their Certificates of Occupancy, which is a major component of doing business with the bank.
“Our electricity reforms to make power available 24/7 in the State are also ongoing. We are doing several things in the economy to make it easy for businesses to thrive here. So, we thank you for coming, and I can only assure you, by the grace of God, that you will not regret setting up your bank in Uyo and, indeed, Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Signature Bank, Mr Nixon Iwedi, described the opening as more than the establishment of a new branch, saying it marked the beginning of a strategic relationship between the bank, the people and businesses of Akwa Ibom.
Iwedi commended Governor Eno for creating a business-friendly environment, saying the decision to establish the branch in Uyo was informed by the State’s investment-friendly atmosphere.
Similarly, the Board Chairman of the bank, Alhaji Tijani Borodo, said Signature Bank was established with a clear understanding that the future of banking would depend on financial institutions’ ability to understand their customers, respond to their needs, deploy technology and maintain meaningful personal relationships.
Borodo described Akwa Ibom as a destination of choice for investors, saying the Governor’s intentional efforts to actualise the components of the ARISE Agenda would be better achieved through private-sector partnerships.
Representing the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Head of Currency Operations, Mrs Duoye Alalebo, said the establishment of the branch was a reflection of confidence in the economic potential of Akwa Ibom State.
She said the new bank would further contribute to deepening financial inclusion in the State by expanding access to financial services and supporting economic activities.
The opening of the Signature Bank branch in Akwa Ibom further expands the State’s business landscape, reinforcing the Umo Eno administration’s drive to attract private capital, deepen financial services and translate the ARISE Agenda into sustainable economic opportunities.
