Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reiterated his administration’s desire to partner with the private sector in the quest to rebuild the state.
Governor Otti restated government’s position to work with the private sector while receiving the Group Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, who led a team of the bank’s senior management team on a business visit to the Governor on Tuesday.
He welcomed the bank’s request to partner with the state government in delivering gains of democracy to the people while enumerating some of the things his administration had done in the area of road and health infrastructure as well as ensuring that workers receive their salaries promptly since it assumed office less than four months ago.
Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe thanked the Governor for the warm reception accorded her and her team, which included Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, Executive Director South; Mr. Mike Nnaji, Regional Head Abia Fidelity; and Mrs. Evi Kanu Regional Head, Rivers-Bayelsa.
She said that the Fidelity team was in Abia to, first, congratulate Governor Otti on his electoral victory and subsequent assumption of office, adding that she had heard some of the good news coming out of Abia since Dr. Otti began to steer the ship of state.
Onyeali-Ikpe, however, said the work of rebuilding Abia required a concerted effort and all hands on deck to deliver and that Fidelity was willing to be part of the Abia success story under Governor Otti.
“We realize that there is need for support in the area of infrastructural development and industrialization of the state. That’s why we came, to see how we can partner with him with a view to moving Abia State forward.
“For the level of infrastructural development Abia needs, there is need for heavy lifting. As you well know, there’s a lot of work to be done in the area of roads, schools, hospitals; and you can’t do all of that from what the state generates on its own. You definitely need heavy lifting support from the banks,” Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe stated.
