Access Bank has communicated its intention to support with N50billion interest-free loans and grants to Small and Medium Scale, SME’s, businesses affected by #ENDSARS protest, to assist them in rebuilding their businesses and recouping the losses incurred.
The bank which disclosed this information via its Twitter handle on Saturday, noted that it was socially binding on them to help these small business owners whose shops had been vandalized and looted during the protest to get back on their feet again.
The peaceful #EndSARS protests has degenerated into chaos with reports of vandalisation and looting of businesses across the country.
The bank stated, “ the events of recent days and weeks have been a difficult period in our country’s history. We have all been anxious, worried, and pained at what we have seen in the media and what we have heard from our customers, our colleagues, and loved ones,”
“As one of Nigeria’s largest businesses serving every part of our society, it is our responsibility and duty to make a difference. Corporates cannot simply stand by and send messages of solidarity, and go back to ‘business as usual’ without helping get their customers and communities back on-track.
“Supporting business, large and small, is in our DNA and in recent years we have seen entrepreneurial spirit that filled us with hope and confidence in the future. Our young technology entrepreneurs have been building businesses that are celebrated globally and we have seen SMEs flourish and innovate across the country.
“There has been a setback on this journey and we feel the hurt of our nation. We are committed to restarting businesses quickly but even more importantly to ensure we come out of this stronger and more successful together.”
We are here for you and we have resolved to make things better starting now.#AccessCares pic.twitter.com/7UApTviFMM
— Access Bank Plc (@myaccessbank) October 24, 2020