Yemisi Izuora
First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have entered into a partnership for the establishment of agent banking services at bus parks across the country.
According to FirstBank, the move will bring banking services closer to operators of commercial vehicles at various parks in the country.
Speaking at the official commencement of the First Bank Agent Banking NURTW Partnership programme at Jabi Park, Abuja, the Deputy Managing Director, First Bank, Gbenga Shobo, said a lot of business activities took place in motor parks.
This, he explained, was one of the reasons why FirstBank decided to bring banking services to the parks, adding that the initiative would enable operators in the parks to save more money.
Shobo, who was represented by the bank’s Regional Head, Shehu Aliyu, said, “Commercial motor parks in Nigeria are a beehive of activities, both economically and socially. So, we are bringing banking services to operators in these commercial bus parks, which will enable drivers to save more money.
“As a result, we are introducing the Driver Savings Account, which comes with a lot of benefits that will, of course, encourage drivers to save and earn more. So, we urge drivers to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Shobo said the bank was pleased to partner with the NURTW and that the agent banking services was being inaugurated simultaneously in six parks across the country.
He added, “We are commencing agent banking business in motor parks in partnership with the NURTW, and this will take place in six locations simultaneously. With this initiative, a commuter or user of any of these parks will be able to open an account instantly at the parks.
“People can now make cash deposits instantly at parks and drivers too can deposit the money they collect from passengers immediately at the parks instead of travelling long distances with it. This initiative will also protect people from the risk of carrying money around.”
He said the bank was starting with about six agent pilot schemes and that the plan was to cover all the motor parks nationwide.
In his address, the President, NURTW, Usman Yasin, said the union had been planning the programme since two years ago, calling on members of the group to key into it.