Yemisi Izuora
The Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has partnered with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and E-top, a foremost Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP), to launch an initiative aimed at empowering communities within its network through the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities.
The initiative, which aims to empower members of Community Development Associations (CDC/CDAs) through provision of free Point of Sales (POS) terminals and loans for the Payment Agents, was launched today in the Ayangburen community of Ikorodu.
Speaking on the initiative, Chief Commercial Officer of IE, Folake Soetan, explained that the approach reflects the Company’s long standing commitment to delivering practical solutions for customers and the communities in which it operates.
According to her: “In line with this initiative, the CDAs/CDCs are expected to serve as guarantors for members of the communities who have been nominated as Payment Agents, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) and E-top will provide seed capital and Point Of Sales (POS) terminals respectively. The agents will also be trained by IE”.
“We are delighted to partner these two reputable organizations in providing the right support to communities in which we operate, in addition to our commitment to offer improved service delivery to our esteemed customers” he said.
According to Helen Brume, UBA’s Divisional Head Head, Power and Project, the bank is delighted to be a strong partner and supporter of Ikeja Electric. UBA has long history of partnership with IE being one of the key financiers of the acquisition of the Distribution license and assets at the onset of privatization in 2013.
UBA will continue to lend its support to improve flexibility of payment services and options to the customers of Ikeja Electric.
In a similar vein, Executive Director, ETOP, Leke Olubode explained that the company has been in partnership with Ikeja Electric in providing payment convenience for its customers across all its business locations.
“This gesture of giving back to the community where it operates is a laudable one and it is on this note that ETOP yielded its support to Ikeja Electric towards achieving this goal. ETOP has found a partner in Ikeja Electric and will always support its business by delivering superlative payment services and customer support to Ikeja Electric consumers” he said.