South Sudan- KCB Farewell for the Retirement of Peter M. Muthoka and Susan Omanga.
By Heskey Deng Machol
Juba-The South Sudan Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) families both from Kenyan and South Sudanese nationals working in the KCB Branch in Juba party the retirement of two key largest- served Staff of KCB, Peter M. Muthoka, MBS, FKIB, FKIM, KCB Group Chairman and Ms. Susan Omanga, the chairperson of KCB foundation, at New Sudan Palace Hotel a week ago, while they {KCB} brushed aside to celebrated the profit, they got in South Sudan
In spite their retirement, they said, they are giving chance to brilliant young people, they didn’t give up work to go home, they will be watchdogs, then their commitment and help will continue on the ground of South Sudan because they said, this is our country too and we have the same vision.
Speaking on the Farewell, the Guest of Honor, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, also known as Country Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said, his government is too, committed to supporting the operation of KCB and encouraged them to operate without fear in the Country.
“South Sudan has a free economy without discrimination, racism and harassment,’ so come and operate, Marial said, and further added, “The future economy of this country is the interest of East Africa’s people.”
Marial cited that, the KCB Sudan is now re- Baptized: KCB South Sudan because it was established before without Khartoum Government license.
Barnaba urged KCB families to improve the tourism life of his country; he quipped, “We have the largest areas occupied by wild animals that need to develop like the Masaai Mara tourist areas in Kenya.”
Marial underscored that, although the two Sudan reached agreement on resuming the flow of oil in Port Sudan, it will not affect the construction of south Sudan- Lamu pipeline.
The ADRA, Country Director, Ms. Awadia Ogillo, urged the KCB Families not to stop establishing branches in Juba and in other States, but to continue establishing more branches at the County level.
On the event, Peter M. Muthoka cited that, the KCB has championed the infrastructure development in South Sudan and commanded empowerment of South Sudanese.
“It’s our commitment to involve the citizens of this country in operation and rising bank in varies capacity building”, Muthoka said.
Muthoka pointed out the KCB’s fundamental roles played by a fund initiative, especially in supporting communities in the areas such as education, health, humanitarian need response, and environment as well project development in the country.
Muthoka said that his bank began full operations in South Sudan in May 2006, when the former Rebel SPLM/A signed CPA with her foe Khartoum Government in 2005 in Kenya, The first two branches were established in Juba and Rumbek.
“We take the risks, but persistent risks”, Peter said.
At present, KCB has got 85,000 customers in 19 branches spread all over the 10 states of the world’s newest nation, employing over nearly 330 staff, and 267 staffers of which are South Sudanese nationals.
Muthoka pledged the banks will continue its commitment towards supporting South Sudanese, adding that the country will make an immense contribution to the East African Community (EAC) once it becomes a member.
“KCB is here to stay with the people of South Sudan,” noted Muthoka, adding KCB is committed to helping South Sudan, where it reportedly controls 42% of the banking industry, achieve its economic independence.
In the education sector, for instance, KCB has supported South Sudanese students through scholarships, constructed schools and provided school facilities, including reading materials.
“As a bank, we strongly believe that an educated society is an empowered society,” He added.
On the environment, KCB has reportedly planted 31,000 trees throughout South Sudan, while the donated 200,000 SSP to the military hospital, as meant to support the Military hospital capacity with its efforts to improve service delivery in the country.
Despite the Infrastructure fields, KCB gave out loans of 160 millions South Sudanese pound to business communities operating in the Country.
In future, we want to leave the KCB is capital market in south Sudan, Peter lamented.
The Deputy Governor of Bank of South Sudan, John Dor, said the KCB is accredited good image in the BOSS and to the people of this country, as it grow and developed the economics of the country.
“Without KCB, jobs opportunity for young graduates will be headache to the government”, but now the KCB removed it, Dor added.
“Your {KCB} efforts and monies will not be fruitless”, John said, and further added, we can’t eradicate the problem without investment, then went on calling all East Africa investor {Banks} to come to south Sudan to establish business.
The KCB Chief Business Office, James Agin, said KCB is everywhere you go, come with your ATM card and do your transaction normal without difficulties procedure, but He failed to elaborate well, whether the South Sudanese Pounds currency are legal accepted in Kenya and Uganda because majority of people, who banking pounds in KCB and Equity Bank in South Sudan branches were denied with their ATM card to make transaction in Kenya and Uganda branches before, unless you deposited hard currency in your account.
Kenya Commercial Bank South Sudan (KCBSS) is one of the first banks that set feet in South Sudan soon after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005.
The farewell party ending with colorful and delight, as it was blessed Wednesday with good cloud and latest with drop of rains to keep the environments cold and moisture.
The writer is south Sudanese Citizens.
Contact: dengheskey@yahoo.com
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