Environmental Beautification: Cross River Partners Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank Limited has donated 700 pieces of customised reflective jackets to Cross River State for use by street sweepers as its contribution to the sustenance of the cleanliness and beautification of Calabar, the state capital.

General Manager, South South, South East & Midwest and Executive Director designate, Commercial and Institutional banking, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, who presented the vests on behalf of the bank’s Managing Director to the state governor Prof. Ben Ayade, disclosed the company’s willingness to work with the state at ensuring that the state remains the cleanest in the country.

In his words: “We are so proud of what you are doing here and as a bank that has been doing business here in the state, we feel obliged to support you in our own little way at least to make the environment safe and secure especially in terms of cleanliness.”

According to him, “We have done this in several states. In Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Abia, Edo. What we have realised is that some of these people who help us clean the environment are vulnerable to accidents and things like that. So, we felt it would be nice if we clothe them with reflective jackets to enable them carry out their assignments without fear of being knocked down by fast moving vehicles.”

Continuing, he said: “Today, I have the honor and the mandate of my executive management to present 700 pieces of customised vests made in such a way that it identifies clearly the gardeners and cleaners at any time for their safety.”

The manager further disclosed that “In addition to this, we have been mandated to inform Your Excellency that we will be partnering with the the Ministry of Environment to identify strategic roundabouts in the state for beautification and maintenance.”

While assuring Ayade of their preparedness to lend the state a helping hand in the area of infrastructural development, Emefienim said: “We are also open as a bank to supporting the state with access to funding options that will help them develop infrastructure.”

Responding, Governor Ayade who commended the bank for its show of concern on the environment and safety of the workers expressed his delight for the gesture, describing it as “a classical departure from tradition.”
He noted: Here is a bank that is coming to bring value, service and not is not talking about business.”

According to the governor, “I think this is a very fantastic way to go and my heartfelt gratitude goes to Sterling bank. To think that I am not doing much with Sterling bank at this moment and they have really found a very smart and intelligent way to twist my hands and my conscience I must say that we must do business with you.

“Indeed, for someone who truly cares about your cleanliness and cares about your businesses and that they are not doing this just because they are bankers but because they do care I really will want to thank you.”

Ayade who directed the Commissioner for Environment to work along with the bank on areas of beautification said:
“I must do all I can to encourage and support you for this kindness that you have shown us. The level of commitment that I have seen shows also that you are worried about the safety of our people and so I am conscious of this and I am really grateful and appreciative of this and I hope that in the fullness of time, Cross River State government will also show the same gratitude.”

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