Cross River will partner Institutions with Same Vision – Imoke (11/7/08)

The Cross River State government says it is prepared to collaborate with financial institutions that share its vision in its effort to provide high quality service delivery to its citizenry.

While receiving the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Ecobank PLC, Mr. Offiong Ambah during a courtesy call recently, Imoke remarked that there was need for financial institutions to undertake projects which are geared towards economic development, adding that Cross River is happy working with Ecobank because both share the same vision.

Imoke commended the bank for its aggressive approach by opening many branches across the state which has taken them to the grassroots culminating in local government councils patronizing them, adding that, by so doing, it has also contributed to the development of the state by impacting positively on the economic life of the rural populace.

The Governor assessed that, so far the bank has done well in the state and that it is seen as a grass root bank, adding that its approach explains that it seems to pursue business aggressively.

He lauded the bank for being an active participant in the Tinapa Business Resort as it is one of the financial institutions enjoying its facilities, saying that its stay in the state will see the relationship between the two growing stronger for the benefits of the people.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Ecobank, Mr. Offiong Ambah said the bank shares the same vision with the state as it believes in opening up branches across the state, disclosing that the bank which had zero branches in 2006 currently has seven branches and hopes to have additional seven branches by the end of the year.

Ambah said its approach is aimed at spreading development because the bank shares the same development strategy with the state by getting to the grass root so as to get even distribution of development across the country with the view of curbing rural-urban drift.

He pointed out that one of the strategies of the bank is to promote agriculture and provide infrastructure that will stimulate development in remote areas, stating that the courtesy despite that will support the state towards high quality service delivery that will impact on the people positively.

The Managing Director disclosed that while other banks were visiting states immediately after the swearing in on May 29, 2007, Ecobank decided to take its time before making in roads after the respective state governments had mapped out their strategies for development, explaining that the bank is a part of a Pan African Multi-national financial institution with branches in 25 countries and an efficient player in an efficient market with world acclaimed expertise.

Government House Press