Access Bank Denies Plans to Lay Off Workers, Shut Over 300 Branches

Access Bank Plc has denied reports that it plans to lay off 75 percent of its workforce and shutdown over 300 branches nationwide.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi said the bank merely suspended operations in some branches in compliance with the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The bank has only suspended operations in some branches following the directive by the CBN.

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we suspended in-branch operations at different locations as directed by the CBN and in line with business continuity plans at vulnerable spots; whilst we continued to provide services through our alternative digital platforms.

“In line with the phased re-opening of the economy effective May 4, following the Presidential directives, we will be resuming in-branch services in some of our affected branches in a programmed manner to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers.

“This is also necessary to provide relevant contingency should there be any incident arising from the pandemic.

“We deny in its entirety the baseless and twisted speculation that the bank is sacking 75 per cent of its workforce,” the bank said.

The bank said based on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, not all its branches would be fully open for in-branch services until later in the year.

“This has made it impossible for many of our outsourced workers to perform duties as usual.

“We have commenced engagement with various stakeholders with a view to ensuring that they provide the relevant services and optimum manpower as may be required by the bank on an on-going basis,” the statement added.