Cross River State government’s quest to rejig key sectors of the economy has received a boost from the management of Fidelity Bank of Nigeria which has expressed its commitment to partner with the Governor Bassey Otu administration in the development of agriculture and infrastructure.
The bank made its position known at the weekend when its team led by the chairman, Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi and the managing director/chief executive officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe visited the governor at the Government House, Calabar, the state capital.
Chike-Obi, who described Governor Otu as a bosom friend, said the team was excited to be in the state and declared that the bank was willing to partner with the state for its progress.
In fact, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe stressed the readiness of the bank to partner with the state in agriculture and infrastructural development.
She said, “It is not about what we can make from the state this time around, but what we can add. We all know that Cross River State has comparative advantage in the area of agriculture and we are willing to support in other areas of the state’s infrastructure.”
The managing director further disclosed that, “We have this in other states, especially in the area of infrastructure and agriculture which is very important and we just want to reemphasize that we are ready to partner very strongly with you in this regard.”
Welcoming the management team to his office, Governor Otu said the state was ready to forge strategic partnership in key sectors of the state’s economy.
He said, “Our focus right now is agriculture. We are deliberate about it and we want to get the most from that sector. We are looking at what will immediately add to our GDP. We have about six core projects we are looking at taking off at the same time and we will inform you on what we need to do in that particular sector.”
Describing the bank as a critical partner, the governor noted, “My administration views Fidelity Bank as a critical partner in our resolve to reposition the state as a major agricultural hub in the country. So, we are indeed excited about this opportunity, and we look forward to a rewarding partnership with the bank.”
