Kikwete opens NBC Babati Branch

President Jakaya Kikwete on Sunday officially opened the new Babati National Bank of Commerce (NBC) branch in a ceremony attended by government officials, Babati residents and NBC management and staff.

President Kikwete who is on an official tour of Manyara Region which comes after earlier visits to other regions around the country commended NBC?s efforts in extending its services to inner parts of the country.

The colourful ceremony which included amongst other things traditional dances and the handing over of a Tsh.3 billion loan cheque to the Babati Town Council staff as well as a Tsh.30 million loan cheque to the local teaching community.

Speaking during the opening of the new branch, President Kikwete congratulated NBC saying, ?The opening of the new NBC branch in Babati is a positive step towards improving local services and furthermore empowering Babati residents economically.

Our government supports wholeheartedly all efforts that aim to uplift the lives of ordinary Tanzanians wherever they may be.

I call on other banks to follow in NBC`s footsteps and ensure every community that seeks access to banking services indeed gets them.``

President Kikwete further encouraged Babati residents to make use of banking services available at the branch including applying for loans to improve their lives and also make use of the 24-hour ATM service.

He also went on to praise the modernity of the branch which he said raised the profile of Babati.

The opening of the Babati branch marks a new addition to NBC?s branch network in the bank`s ongoing strategy called Retail Expansion Programme (REP), which aims at increasing access to NBC services for its customers as well as expand its footprint.

The programme will increase the number of branches across the country including in rural areas where there is a continuing need for the presence of banking facilities.

Speaking during the ceremony, NBC Managing Director Christo de Vries said, ``The new Babati branch opens a new chapter in the economy of the local area.

Residents will now have no need to travel long distances to find a bank, the bank has in fact followed them right where they are.

NBC has once again responded to the call of the public by ensuring our banking services are available where they are needed.

Babati is one place that has plenty of potential and there`s room for development.

By opening an NBC branch in such a place we are placing the ambition of the local people to improve their lives at the forefront.

We are very confident that this new branch will go a long way towards easing certain elements of pressure on everyday life for the residents of Babati.

Babati, whose economy is mainly based on farming and cattle-rearing is an area with potential for development making the presence of an NBC branch a crucial catalyst for local development.

In providing local residents with access to banking facilities, NBC continues its drive to reach out to communities and make its services easily available.

The opening of the Babati branch marks a major step in the bank`s programme to continue establishing its presence around the country with the aim of exceeding fifty branches by the end of the year.

Highlighting the opening of the new branch, NBC Babati Branch Manager Allen Mgimba said, ``The new branch has come at the appropriate moment, at a time when local people most needed improved banking services.

SOURCE: Guardian