Providus Bank boosts Asaba urban renewal with Kainebisi project

Providus Bank boosts Asaba urban renewal with Kainebisi project

Providus Bank has commenced the beautification and restructuring of Kainebisi Roundabout in Asaba, giving fresh impetus to the existing urban renewal initiatives.

Speaking at the project’s take off, on Monday, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, described the partnership as unexpected.

Azinge recalled that the Kainebisi statue, which represents the progenitor and major ancestor of Asaba Kingdom, was inaugurated about a year ago, alongside plans for wider community beautification.

He said the initiative included Ogbeke Square, Umuagu Altar and Stop Abortion Junction, adding that the community subsequently sought corporate Nigeria’s support for implementation.

He also said that Providus Bank was the only corporate organisation to respond to the request so far, expressing appreciation for its intervention and investments in the capital city.

He said, “one thing that is clear is that the final output here will be magnificent, and this place will be a reference point in Nigeria and even beyond.”

The traditional ruler explained the landmark’s strategic location, saying “truly, it is going to be a grand demonstration of urban renewal and regeneration, and this is the heart of it all.”

He emphasised the roundabout’s visibility to travellers entering Asaba from several routes, including the East, Cable Point, Ezenei, expressway, Okpanam Road and Government House corridors.

“So this place will become the heart, if not the heartbeat, of Asaba, and that is what we look forward to,” he said.

He promised to personally monitor the project execution, saying, “I will be coming here occasionally to see what is going on, as I always do.”

Azinge also urged the project engineer to sustain progress, saying, “Please don’t just start this project and return to your base in Lagos”.

Also speaking, the Chief Designer, Chief Dili Biosah, highlighted the landmark’s historical importance, describing its transformation as part of Asaba’s continuing urban evolution.

“This roundabout is very important to Asaba. It is part of the evolution of our town.

”It was a little town, but it is currently the fastest-growing state capital, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa, South of the Sahara,” he said.

Biosah gave insight to Cable Point’s colonial history and the landmark’s ancestral symbolism, saying the sculpture represented the heritage and origin of Asaba people.

“Cable Point is historical. If you follow this road to the right, up to the beach, that was where the colonialists established the link with the western region,” he said.

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Biosah also said that the 14th Asagba had established the roundabout as a reference point.

“The sculpture that you see standing there is a recreation of our ancestry. Kainebisi is the progenitor of Asaba,” he said.

Also, Providus Bank’s Zonal Head, South-South Business Zone, Mrs. Noma Imilar, affirmed the bank’s commitment to restructuring the sculpture and transforming the roundabout.

Imilar said, “Providus Bank is in partnership with the Asagba of Asaba and the Asaba people for the Kainebesi restructuring.

”We are partnering to make this Kainebisi roundabout a more beautiful place.

“It will serve as a recreational spot for relaxation.

“It is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by our bank,” she said, adding that the partnership was community-focused.

“The Asagba has expressed his desire to have the inauguration of this project as part of the activities for his second coronation anniversary.

“So, in five weeks, we should be done, hopefully praying that we have favorable weather to facilitate the work,” Imilar said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Ozecon Nigeria Ltd., Mr Oz Onukolu, said the facility would feature solar-powered fountains and attractive lighting, when completed.

Onukolu expressed concern over the safety of the equipment, saying that pumping machines, solar panels and inverters would be housed, while local security would help prevent theft.

He said that stronger local monitoring team would be needed to help protect the facility and ensure the investment remained functional, attractive and beneficial to residents and visitors.