Cross River govt, Fidelity Bank to partner on agriculture, infrastructural development

THE management of Fidelity Bank of Nigeria has expressed its readiness and commitment to partner Cross River State government in key areas of agriculture and infrastructural development.

The bank, led by the Chairman, Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Bassey Otu at the temporary office of the Government House, Calabar.

Describing governor Otu as a bosom friend, Chike-Obi said the team was excited to be in the state, maintaining that the bank was willing to partner for the progress of the state.

Specifically, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe stressed the readiness of the bank to partner the state in agriculture and infrastructural development.

“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 MD informed the governor.

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 reemphasise that we are ready to partner very strongly with you in this regard.”

Welcoming the management team to his office, Governor Bassey Otu said the state was ready to forge strategic partnership in key sectors of the state’s economy.

“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.”

Continuing, Otu said, “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.

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