ACCESS Bank has agreed to help in the construction of a satellite town at Ugomoson, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State on the Benin- Agbor highway, one year after the groundbreaking ceremony by the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II.
The satellite town, a brainchild of the Benin traditional ruler, is part of efforts aimed at boosting Benin cultural heritage and will be equipped with basic infrastructure such as water and 24-hour power supply as well as security.
The managing director/chief executive officer of Access Bank, Chief Herbert Wigwe, expressed the readiness of the bank to partner Oba Ewuare in realising the initiative.
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Wigwe, who spoke during a visit to the Benin monarch at his place, said that the bank was ready to commit billions of naira to build the new city.
Accompanied by the management team, Wigwe said the bank has a lot of respect for the ancient kingdom of Benin.
He said: “We will support the Oba’s housing project. As students of history, take it for granted that we will always support all projects within your domain.”
The managing director told Oba Ewuare that the bank would also partner the traditional ruler in the forthcoming Igue festival which starts in December.
He said: “We are committed to the satellite town project. The project will uplift thousands of people. We will also partner with the monarch on Igue festival.”
Oba Ewuare, who presented Wigwe with the bronze statute of Oba Ewuare the Great, said he was at a loss as regards how to move with the project after the ground breaking until the Access Bank boss came around.
The traditional ruler expressed optimism that with the intervention of the bank, the multi billion project would soon come to fruition and would go a long way in decongesting Benin metropolis.
Oba Ewuare said that the idea of the new city project was aimed at opening up new areas and encourage urban-rural migration.
He said: “We are talking about creating a new city. We want to try and open a new area that can encourage urban-rural migration. With this project, we will be able to achieve that.”