Makira hit by lack of banking service

Friday, 25 June 2010 14:36



MAKIRA Provincial premier says lack of banking facilities is affecting businesses, government officers, churches and the general public.

Thomas Weape was speaking during Money Smart Day celebrations at Kirakira early this week.

He said the province is challenged by poor financial services affecting business houses government officers, churches and people in general.

“Kirakira has an absence of better banking services for years,” Mr Weape said.

“Banking services is very poor compared to other provinces.

“In terms of banking we are going back then before,” he said.

He said in the past Kirakira used to have a branch operated by the then National Bank of Solomon Islands (NBSI).

“But following the takeover by Bank South Pacific (BSP) the only branch in Kirakira and all other agents were closed down,” he said.

He said he was surprised that Kirakira BSP was left to operate as an agent.

“When BSP was introduced, we thought it would improve banking services here but we have been given false expectation and Kirakira was turned into an agent, my goodness,” he said.

Mr Weape said his consultation with the BSP revealed that there is a slim chance of promoting agent to a branch in Kirakira.

He said he had assurance from ANZ and urged them to quickly set up an agent or a mobile banking in the province once the road improves.

The provincial premier said lack of banking services had affected teachers and nurses who had to travel long hours to Kirakira to do their banking.

“If only there are mobile banks for the province, and other agents being set up around the province it would have saved time for these government workers,” he said.

[Source: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/]