Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner Stanbic IBTC Bank Holdings Plc in the areas of infrastructural financing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) banking, and other priority areas.
Governor Otti stated this on Thursday, July 9, in his office while receiving in audience a delegation of the Executive Management of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, led by its Group Chief Executive, Mr. Chuma Nwokeocha.
The Governor specifically noted that his government is looking at partnerships that would help in the establishment of the Abia Medical City and the Obuaku Sea Port projects, among others.
“But clearly, the area of infrastructural financing is the area we have a lot of things that we have proposed to do. One of them is a medical city. It sits as a top priority. The land has been acquired, we are just at the point where we need to hit the ground running. So, it may be an area that you may want to look at with us.
“We are also conducting a feasibility study for a sea port in Obuaku. It is also another area that you may want to look at. And a few other things.
“So, I think we will need to look more deeply at the presentation. And then, smaller meetings will be formed to discuss areas where we can engage,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive appreciated the fact that the bank came with real business and valuable partnership offers.
“Sometimes, some people come and say they want to partner with you. They don’t have anything to say. They just want you to give them money. But clearly, there are values that you have proposed,” Gov. Otti stated.
He also thanked the bank for its interventions in fixing a school in the State as part of its corporate social responsibility, and encouraged the financial institutions to do more.
Earlier, the Group Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Chuma Nwokeocha, said the institution is committed to partnering the Abia State Government to drive economic growth through its broad financial services which include housing finance, SME development, infrastructure financing, agro-industrial growth, capital market solutions, and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) enhancement.
He expressed confidence that a strategic partnership with the State would attract more investments, strengthen the economy, and improve the welfare of Abians.
Mr. Nwokeocha commended Governor Alex Otti for his good and exemplary governance in Abia and explained the rationale for choosing the State.
“Why Abia State? There is a convergence of value, there is a convergence of good governance, there is a convergence of purpose, there is a convergence of ambition to better the lives of citizens,” Mr. Nwokeocha said.
The meeting was attended by the Honorable Commissioner for Finance among other Commissioners and senior officials of the Government.
