Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has expressed willingness of his administration to partner with the private sector for the development of agriculture and industries in the state.
The governor, who stated this yesterday, at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi, during a courtesy call on him and symbolic presentation of relief materials and cleaner’s uniforms by the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) and Sterling Bank, said the state needed private hands to assist in developing the economy of the state.
He urged Sterling Bank to come up with proposals on how best to improve on the state economy in addition to the kits they had designed and presented to his government.
“I am willing as a government to partner with the private sector because globally, the private sector drives the economy while government regulates through policies,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the foundation for providing relief materials to the flood victims and sterling bank for being environment friendly, saying that Benue people were grateful for the love Nigerians had showered on them during their time of distress.
Earlier, in a remark, the Executive Director BATN Foundation, Abimbola Okoyo, said they were touched by the unfortunate incident that befell the state, noting that their partners were also affected.
She said the vision of the Foundation “includes empowerment through sustainable poverty alleviation, agriculture development and environment protection in partnership with other organisations.”
On his part, Sterling Bank’s Regional Manager, North-central, Mr. Umar Suleman, during a symbolic presentation of 590 street cleaners’ uniforms to the governor, said banking had moved from only financial management to value addition to the host community.
