By Stanley Opara

Wednesday, 22 Dec 2010

The Bankers Committee has said that it is committed to partnering state governments and their agencies on socio-economic initiatives.

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Chairman of the Bankers Committee, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, restated this objective at an interactive session between the CBN, the Bankers‘ Committee and the Governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in Lagos.

Sanusi, according to a statement on Tuesday, pointed out that the interactive session with the governor was part of efforts of the committee to take deliberate actions towards ensuring that Nigerian banks play their role as financial intermediaries, and drive the development of the real sector of the economy.

Corroborating this, Chairman, Sub-committee on economic development and Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the Bankers‘ Committee was committed to supporting state governments and agencies with well-articulated policies and plans.

According to him, the committee will also seek an environment for continuous engagements with governments and agencies to generate a pipeline of projects that the financial sector will participate in.

The Ogun state government, however, identified three major capital projects estimated to cost $43.26m (N6.5bn) among others, requiring financing by banks in the state.

The identified projects are the Gateway International Airport Project (Phase I) estimated to cost $28.3m, Olokola Deep Sea Port Project (Phase 1) $1.16m and a Diagnostic and Trauma Centre project expected to cost $13.8m.

Other projects considered requiring financing by the banks include Light Rail Project, Abeokuta Central Business District Project, Gateway Power Projects, among others.

Daniel, who made a brief demonstration of the proposed airport, was said to have reiterated his passion and personal commitment to the project.

Source: Punch