In an effort to meet the government’s financial inclusion drive, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) yesterday 4th November 2020 officially opened a SLCB outlet at the 34 Military Hospital, Wilberforce. SLCB’s Managing Director Abdulai Fidelis Turay said the new outlet will provide financial accountability for the 34 Hospital and also serve both in and out patients of the hospital, which is often used by military personnel and Wilberforce residents.
“From this outlet our services will be available here hence you do not need to brave the traffic to do banking transactions in town anymore.” He said the usual banking services will be provided at the new outlet, and “we will ensure that our money transfer services are also provided here”.
The MD added that the new branch “will be having our own tellers here who can open an account for prospective customers in less than five minutes”. Disclosing that the new branch will also link customers’ accounts to both Orange and Africell money wallet, he said, “Basically, all the services which you might be going to attain in town is now right at your doorstep.”
He added: “This should have been done a while ago but because of the coronavirus we had to do it now. As the saying goes ‘it is better late than never’. As Sierra Leone’s number one bank, we are here to promote government’s effort of financial inclusion and bring more people home to formal banking.”
The Chairman, Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defence, Hon. Hafiju Maada Kanja (Capt. Rtd.), noted that “this is a very big achievement for the RSLAF and also customers using the 34 Hospital”. He added that he has confidence in the outputs of the Joint Force Commander and the Commanding Officer of the unit. He said the blessing of the Joint Medical Unit is always in the hands of the Joint Force Commanders, as they are always there to see that the unit develops.
“The current Joint Force Commander is one who has always taken this unit as his baby. Two years ago the commanding officer by then was a Lieutenant Colonel who took me on a tour around this hospital and all what he promised to put in place is now in place.” The Joint Force Commander, Maj. Gen Peter Lavahun, expressed his delight and honour to launch the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s (SLCB) outlet at the 34 Military Hospital under his watch.
“During the planning stage of this venture, the Commanding Officer informed us, the chain of command, about his plan to partner with the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank for the centralisation of all revenue generated in the hospital. We approved the request and pledged our support to the implementation of this venture. We are convinced that this venture will not only put 34 Military Hospital in line with our compatriots in the civil sector, but also create a transparent system for the efficient management of public funds in line with the government of Sierra Leone’s transparency aspirations. It will improve the hospital’s ability to work with the private sector to improve systems and processes that will subsequently improve better healthcare and human capacity.” OTG/5/11/20
By Ophaniel Gooding