Susan Waffa-Ogoo, Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, yesterday officially opened the Access Bank, Gambia Ltd, at a ceremony held at the Access Bank head office on Kairaba Avenue.

The opening ceremony was part of events marking the 42nd Independence celebration of The Gambia.

In her inaugural address, Susan Waffa-Ogoo expressed the Gambia government’s delight to be associated with Access Bank. According to her, in the government’s Vision 2020 development objectives, the pivotal role of the private sector is also reflected as it is expected to play a big role in the development of the country.

She then commended Access Bank PLC in Nigeria for choosing to invest in The Gambia. “The government will fully cooperate with Access Bank. It is an excellent bank ranked among the top ten best banks in Nigeria. Since you have read the mode of The Gambia and have the confidence in investing here, be confident to operate under this peaceful Gambia,” She said.

She also commended Access bank for targeting to work closely with the Gambian women folk, noting that they are very dedicated and hardworking. She also assured them that in working with Gambian women, Access Bank will never regret it.

SoS Ogoo then expressed appreciation to the staff rate, noting that out of the 56 staff in the Bank, 54 are Gambians. She described this as a great move in bringing more collaboration between The Gambia and Nigeria which is a positive move in strengthening sub-regional cooperation.

She said “on behalf of President Jammeh, I would commend the Access Bank PLC in Nigeria and shareholders for the establishment of the bank in The Gambia and pray that Allah guides the bank to successfully achieve all its objectives.

The Nigerian High Commissioner in The Gambia, Maryam Mohammed, assured that the bank will work positively in contributing to the socio-economic development of The Gambia. She expressed confidence that Gambians will welcome the bank and patronise them. She urged the government and people of The Gambia to know that the bank is their bank. She also implored Access Bank officials to work closely with the government.

Commissioner Mohammed then commended President Jammeh, the government and people of The Gambia for creating the conductive environment for the Access Bank to invest in the country.

In his opening remarks, Pa Alhassan Jagne, Chairman Access Bank, commended President Yahya Jammeh and his government for the encouragement towards the establishment of the bank in The Gambia. He saluteed President Jammeh’s quest to transform The Gambia under his very dynamic leadership style.

According to him, the establishment of Access Bank in The Gambia shows the good relationship that exists between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and The Gambia. He added that Access Bank was incorporated in 1989 and has won many awards in the banking industry. “Access Bank is among the top banks in Nigeria and the world at large. It can compete in the global banking industry amongst others” he said.

He added that the creation of Access Bank will promote the philosophy of transparency in the banking industry. “We will also continue to adhere to the ethics of banking as well. We will also create ten other branches in The Gambia in the next ten months which the Central Bank has approved. The Access Bank has also co-operated with the University of The Gambia” he said.

He then stated that Access Bank is no ordinary Bank and called on all Gambians to come on board the train that can take every one from his or her destination to where he or she desires.

Famara Jatta, Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia welcomed Access Bank to the banking industry in The Gambia. He added that Access Bank was granted license to operate in The Gambia in October 2006.

According to him, with the advent of the Access Bank in the country, it will increase the number of commercial Banks to eight which is a great move for The Gambia. He assured that the Central Bank is here to sustain micro-finance stability. He announced that the Central Bank will also ensure the speedy recovery of debts.

He congratulated the Access Bank, shareholders and board for their untireless efforts to realise this goal.

Yomi Akapo, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, commended President Yahya Jammeh and his government for creating the conducive environment for the operation of the Bank in The Gambia.

According to him, Access Bank is here in The Gambia to partner with the government to realise its vision 2020 objectives. “It is also here to partner with the business people in meeting their objectives. Within the next fifteen months, we will create more branches and create at least 450 jobs. There will also be a platform to help take business people from The Gambia to meet their counterparts in other nations. We will also support projects in agriculture and tourism and other sectors” he promised.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group MD of Access Bank PLC in his remarks said their subsidiary in The Gambia is their first offshore subsidiary and is the beginning of the actualisation of their cooperate resolve to play significantly in the regional and international markets and their target is to be present in at least one leading international financial capital like London or New York by 2010.

According to him, Access Bank entrance into The Gambia signifies the beginning of a life time partnership of mutual benefits between the bank, the good people of The Gambia and the government. “Using our relationship with these multilateral and international finance institution, it is our intention to help attract similar funding to The Gambia in the areas of agriculture manufacturing, infrastructural development and other sectors of significance to The Gambia” he said. Herbert Wigwe, Group DMD of Access Bank gave the vote of thanks.

Editors Note: It should be noted that at the time of writing this news, Susan Waffa-Ogoo was the one assigned to Officially inaugurate the opening of Access Bank.