The Secretary of State for the Interior, Ousman Sonko, recently presided over the inauguration ceremony of Reliance Financial Services’ new branch in Lamin Village, Kombo North in the Western Region.

In his speech, Mr. Sonko said it is part of Reliance’s expansion strategy and objectives to take banking to the doorstep of every Gambian community.

He revealed that Reliance’s initiative will work through the use of kiosks and branches and will play a central role in the Government’s decentralisation plans and, at the same time, reduce the ever present rural urban drift. This drift he described as detrimental to the over all development agenda of The Gambia.

“Basic economic theory tells us that saving will lead to investment which in turn will lead us to job and wealth creation. This cycle will contribute greatly to national development,” Mr. Sonko said.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Officer of Reliance Financial Services, Mr. Baboucarr Khan, said the aims and objectives of the bank are to build more branches and also provide quality banking services to local communities in The Gambia.

He expressed optimism that they will do their level best to supply their customers with a quality banking service.

For her part, the Assistant Governor of the Western Region Mrs. Sainabou Faal expressed her appreciation to Reliance Financial Services for their initiative saying the facility will help the people of Lamin and those in its environs.

She urged the people of Lamin and its surrounding villages to make good use of the facility.

The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by Alkalo’s, Chiefs and a cross-section of the community.