By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To aid the construction of 380km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road and many others across the country by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, SCOA Nigeria Plc received a credit facility worth N15.5 billion from eight local financial institutions to supply some items to the construction giant.
The lenders that financed the importation and supply of MAN Platform Trucks and equipment to Julius Berger for the projects were Heritage Bank, Zenith Bank, Wema Bank, UBA, Union Bank, Unity Bank, Coronation Merchant bank and Providus Bank.
Business Post gathered that out of the total amount, Heritage Bank availed SCOA an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) of N4.64 billion for the projects.
The N15.5 billion covers 33 trucks and technological equipment. For the first phase, the company handed over 16 trucks to Julius Berger. The second phase of delivery will be executed next month.
At a ceremony to hand over the items to the firm, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, stated that the support efforts through project financing in the various sectors of the economy were one of the platforms that underscore his bank’s resolve and readiness to make a mark in the financial sector as a major pivot of socio-economic transformation of the country.
The Regional Head, Lagos Mainland Zone of Heritage Bank, Mother Dan-Egwu, who represented Mr Sekibo at the event, said the bank partnered to support SCOA Nigeria Plc for its long and outstanding presence in the automobile market, by retaining the cutting edge in their line of business.
“For us at Heritage Bank, our core business philosophy as a timeless wealth partner to our customers is captured in our mission to create, transfer and preserve wealth,” the banker said.
Earlier in his address, the GMD/CEO of SCOA, Dr Massad Boulos, commended Heritage Bank and the other banks’ roles, as the transactions were made possible through their solid partnership.
“I will also thank Heritage bank, their Directors, MD; Unity Bank and other senior bankers official & the entire team of banks, they’ve worked closely together with us on this project, same with Providus Bank, they all have worked together tirelessly for the success of this project,” he said.
According to him, this partnership is like no other considering the parties involved especially SCOA Motors and Julius Berger in the official hand over of state of the art modern trucks for use on the road constructions’ equipment for the execution of the biggest and the most significant project in Nigeria; the Abuja/Kaduna/Kano expressway.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka