With the grandiose opening of a new branch, the people of Kabala in the Koinadugu District could not have received a better New Year’s gift from Sierra Leone’s premier indigenous bank- Rokel Commercial Bank. Perhaps, the new branch which some had described a “huge relief” could herald a new era in the economic history of a district dubbed “the land of powerful mixture” apparently because of its diverse ethnicities and colossal economic potentials.
The new branch, just few meters away from the town center will provide full banking services to residents and visitors and as the Managing Director, Dr Dayo Gilpin puts it, “We were here before as Barclays Bank from 1984 but the war stopped our operations…..we resumed with mobile banking and today we are here with a permanent outfit…..”
Dr Gilpin was optimistic that the Kabala new branch would significantly promote financial inclusion as products like the Rokel Simkorpor will not only take banking to the doorsteps of indigenes but will also enhance economic growth in the district.
It was clear the new Rokel Bank branch in Kabala enjoys the endorsement of the district’s stakeholders as according to the Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council, Alex Sorie Conteh, most government employees in the district have their accounts with Rokel Bank thus the opening of the new branch was long overdue. “Agriculture is the mainstay of our district and we understand that Rokel Commercial Bank supports agriculture and this is a huge blessing to the people of Koinadugu” he said.
Resident Minister North East, Abu Abu Koroma whilst formally opening the new branch, underscored government’s commitment to cushion the burden people face to carry out banking transactions in distant Makeni and encouraged all to bank with Rokel Commercial Bank for maximum satisfaction.
The event attracted several other dignitaries including Paramount Chiefs, senior Military and police personnel.