Daily Independent Online.
*
Monday,July 19, 2004.
Bank of the
North recovers N7.3bn debts
By Onoja Audu
Special
Correspondent,
Jos
Prospects of a brighter and better future
now lay ahead for the Bank of the North as the new management has so far
recovered N7.3 billion debts from its customers since it took over.
The Managing Director of the bank, Alhaji
Garba Yakasai, who paid the Plateau State Sole Administrator, Major General
Chris Alli (rtd), a courtesy visit at Government House, Jos added that the
recovery has now restored some confidence in the bank as people have started
meaningful transactions with the bank.
Yakassai said the state was yet to settle
its indebtedness and start patronising the bank as agreed at a meeting in
August last year with northern states governors. Only six out of the 19
northern states have complied with the agreement, he added.
He commended Alli for restoring peace in
Plateau, saying that would create conducive business climate for the bank and
other potential investors.
Alli promised that the government would
look into the issue of patronage and ways of proper collaboration to
consolidate existing relationship.
He urged the bank
to give employment to indigenes of the state who are qualified and meet other
requirements for employment.
