Abia State Governor Alex Otti has expressed a willingness to partner with Stanbic IBTC in areas such as infrastructure financing, Small and Medium Enterprise Banking, and Other priority areas.
Otti stated this on Thursday, July 9, while receiving a delegation from Stanbic IBTC in his office as part of his daily schedule. The delegation, which comprised the executive management of Stanbic IBTC, was led by Mr. Chuma Nwokeocha, the Group Chief Executive.
Otti told the delegation that he is seeking partnerships for a series of capital projects, including the Abia Medical City and the Obuaku Sea Port project.
“But clearly, the area of infrastructural financing is the area where 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 seaport 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.
Otti added that the Stanbic IBTC proposal was quite substantial and is a clear value add compared to some proposals he has received in the past.
“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.
Mr Nwokeocha expressed admiration for the Otti administration and its achievements so far. He explained the rationale behind the choice for the partnership.
“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.
Abia State has signed a couple of local and foreign partnerships as the current administration looks to actualise its mandate to improve the quality of life of Ndi Abia and other residents of the state.
